Aldehyde dehydrogenase activities and NAD+-dependent formaldehyde oxidation in perivenous and periportal hepatocytes: effect of induction by beta-naphthoflavone.

The acinar distribution of aldehyde oxidizing capacity was studied by direct assay of rat hepatocytes prepared from either the periportal or the perivenous region. No significant zonation of low- or high-Km aldehyde dehydrogenase or formaldehyde oxidation was discerned. The induction of cytosolic aldehyde dehydrogenase by pretreatment with beta-naphthoflavone occurred to the same extent in both periportal and perivenous hepatocytes.