Effects of phenobarbital and p,p'-DDT on carboxylesterase activity and hydrolysis of propanidid in rat liver.

Time-dependent responses of microsomal and cytosolic carboxylesterases (EC 3.1.1.1) to administration of phenobarbital or p,p'-DDT were studied in rat liver using p-nitrophenylacetate and propanidid as substrates. In vitro and in vivo studies indicate that the hepatic carboxylesterases are induced by phenobarbital and p,p'-DDT. The induced metabolism of propanidid does not appear to be due to the microsomal polysubstrate monooxygenase system of the liver.