[Uncoupling of the liver monooxygenase system by perfluorocarbons in vivo].

Administration of a perfluorodecalin (PFD) emulsion, the liver cytochrome P-450 II B1/B2 inducer, to experimental animals is followed by a two-fold increase of the NADPH oxidation rate in liver microsomes. This phenomenon is caused by the presence in the cytochrome P-450 active center of PFD which uncouples microsomal hydroxylation. The high rate of NADPH oxidation in liver microsomes after administration of the fluorocarbon does not decrease the level of reduced pyridine nucleotides in the liver and does not change the glucose concentration in the plasma. It is suggested that the accelerated weight loss in starved animals following PFD administration is due to the energy dissipation in the fluorocarbon uncoupled monooxygenase reactions in the liver.