Species, strain and sex differences in metabolism of hexobarbitone, amidopyrine, antipyrine and aniline

Abstract

Species and strain differences in response to hexobarbitone and presumably to antipyrine, amidopyrine and other drugs can be expressed largely in terms of the activities of the drug-transforming enzymes in microsomes. However, variation in the inherent sensitivity of the central nervous system may also be a factor. The sex difference in the rat in response to hexobarbitone and presumably to other drugs is also a reflection of the activity of the enzyme system in liver microsomes. Sex hormones have a role in regulating sex difference in drug metabolism. The guinea pig and mouse show no sex difference in the metabolism of hexobarbitone. Implications of these findings to drug action and to the development of new drugs are discussed.