Drug-mediated induction of cytochrome(s) P-450 and drug metabolism in cultured hepatocytes maintained in chemically defined medium.

Cytochrome P-450 was induced in monolayer cultures of chick embryo hepatocytes incubated in a chemically defined medium. Phenobarbital induced the de novo synthesis of a microsomal protein of Mr = 51,000, whereas beta-naphthoflavone induced the de novo synthesis of a microsomal protein of Mr = 55,000. The increases in these proteins were associated with differential increases in aminopyrine-N-demethylation and benzo-(a)pyrene hydroxylation.