Effect of endosulfan on drug metabolizing enzymes and lipid peroxidation in rat.

The influence of endosulfan, a chlorinated hydrocarbon insecticide, on rat hepatic drug metabolizing enzymes and lipid peroxidation has been explored in the present study. Total liver weight was significantly increased after endosulfan administration at both dose levels (2.5 and 5.0 mg/kg body weight) without affecting body weight or 9000 x g supernatant protein content. There was a marked increase in the activity of aminopyrine-N-demethylase, aniline hydroxylase, tyrosine amino-transferase and spontaneous lipid peroxidation. In all cases the increase was dose dependent.