Induction of cytosolic glutathione transferase and microsomal epoxide hydrolase activities in extrahepatic organs of the rat by phenobarbital, 3-methylcholanthrene and trans-stilbene oxide.

The effects of treating male Sprague-Dawley rats with phenobarbital, 3-methylcholanthrene or trans-stilbene oxide on cytosolic glutathione transferase and microsomal epoxide hydrolase activities in the liver, intestine, kidney, lung, testis, adrenal, spleen, heart and brain have been investigated. Studies on the time-courses of induction in liver demonstrate that these are complete after five days' treatment at the doses used. Phenobarbital induces both cytosolic glutathione transferase and microsomal epoxide hydrolase activities significantly only in liver and intestine. 3-Methylcholanthrene induces these activities in liver only. Trans-Stilbene oxide induces both of these activities in liver and kidney, and cytosolic glutathione transferase activity in adrenal as well.