Diminution in phase I and phase II drug metabolizing enzymes of rat lung by asbestos: Anin vitro study

Abstract

In the present paper studies are presented concerning the effect of three varieties of asbestos namely, chrysotile, crocidolite and amosite, and of titanium dioxide, an inert non-asbestos dust, on the enzymes of phase 1 and phase 2 drug metabolism in isolated rat lung microsomes and post-microsomal fraction. Since 3-methylcholanthrene (3-MC) is known to induce cytochromes P-450 in the IA family and their associated activity, benzo(a)pyrene hydroxylase, therefore, the effect of these mineral fibers on cytochrome P-450 and benzo(a)pyrene hydroxylase in lung microsomes isolated from 3-MC-treated rats was studied.