Differences in response of glucuronide and glutathione conjugating enzymes to aflatoxin B1 and N-acetylaminofluorene in underfed rats.

Changes in the hepatic drug/xenobiotic-metabolizing enzymes in underfed rats exposed to aflatoxin B1 and N-acetylaminofluorene were investigated. Neither carcinogen, fed at the level of 10 micrograms and 0.667 mg per 100 g body weight, respectively, over a period of 3 wk, had any significant influence on cytochrome P-450 and aryl hydrocarbon hydroxylase in the undernourished rats. Significantly low activities of UDP-glucuronyltransferase and glutathione S-transferase were observed in food-restricted animals fed on aflatoxin B1. N-acetylaminofluorene, on the other hand stimulated both the enzyme activities in the underfed group, to as much observed in the respective well-fed treated group. UDP-Glucuronyltransferase and glutathione S-transferase in undernutrition seem to respond differently to aflatoxin B1 and N-acetylaminofluorene. Further studies are needed to assess the possible consequences of such alterations.