Effects of passive transfer and induction of gamma (type II immune) interferon preparations on the metabolism of diphenylhydantoin by murine cytochrome P-450.

Induction of gamma (Type II) interferon results in depression of the cytochrome P-450 system of mice. The gamma interferon is induced by sensitization of mice with Mycobacterium bovis strain BCG followed by challenge with tuberculin. The degree of depression of the cytochrome P-450 system correlates with the levels of interferon induced. passive transfer of exogenous gamma interferon also results in depression of the murine cytochrome P-450 system. In the present study the metabolism of diphenylhydantoin, a drug metabolized by the cytochrome P-450 system, was examined in mice in which gamma interferon was induced. The metabolism of diphenylhydantoin was severely inhibited in mice in which interferon was induced, and the level of inhibition correlated with the liter of gamma interferon induced. Passive transfer of gamma interferon also depressed the metabolism of diphenylhydantoin by the murine cytochrome P-450 system.