Hexobarbital Sleep Time Research Articles

The role of microsomal oxidation in the regulation of monoamine oxidase activity in the brain and liver of rats

It has been shown in our previous study that monoamine oxidase (MAO) activity in different brain regions are correlated with a microsomal oxidation phenotype. The data obtained in this study, using the microsomal oxidation inhibitor SKF525, and using animals with different duration of hexobarbital sleep, has shown that increased intensity of microsomal oxidation might be associated with increased MAO activity. Since the rats with short hexobarbital sleep time had higher content of hepatic microsomal cytochrome P450 than did rats with long hexobarbital sleep time. In addition, the rats with higher hepatic content of CYP450 had higher activities of MAO-A and MAO-B. Moreover, the microsomal oxidation inhibitor SKF-525 reduced brain and liver activities of MAOA and MAO-B. Consequently, MAO activities in a brain and a liver depend on the microsomal oxidation process.

Predicting anxiety responses to halogenated glucocorticoid drugs using the hexobarbital sleep time test

Glucocorticoids (GCs) are used to treat numerous diseases, but their use in limited by adverse side effects. One such effect is occasional increased anxiety. Since the intensity of hepatic microsomal oxidation has been shown to alter responses to GC, we examined the possibility that rats with lower rates of hepatic GC metabolism would have increased anxiety. We hypothesized that the resulting, excessive GC would stimulate brain monoamine oxidase A (MAO-A), which would reduce brain serotonin, and thereby increase anxiety. Hepatic microsomal oxidative intensity was evaluated by the hexobarbital sleep time (HST) test. Results showed that rats with lower rates of hepatic GC metabolism had elevated brain MAO-A activity, reduced brain serotonin, and more anxiety than rats with higher rates of hepatic GC metabolism. We suggest that the HST test, as an integrative test of microsomal oxidation status, should be useful for predicting individual sensitivity to GC and to other drugs metabolized by the hepatic microsomal oxidation system.

Duration of hexobarbital-induced sleep and monoamine oxidase activities in rat brain: Focus on the behavioral activity and on the free-radical oxidation.

The present study is focused on the relationship between monoamine oxidase (MAO) activity and hepatic content of cytochrome P450 (CYP), which reflects the status of microsomal oxidation. For vital integrative evaluation of hepatic microsomal oxidation in rats, the hexobarbital sleep test was used, and content of CYP was measured in hepatic microsomes. Rats with short hexobarbital sleep time (SHST) had higher content of microsomal CYP than rats with long hexobarbital sleep time (LHST). Whole brain MAO-A and MAO-B activities, serotonin and carbonylated protein levels were higher in SHST than in LHST rats. MAO-A and MAO-B activities were higher in brain cortex of SHST rats; MAO-A activity was higher only in hypothalamus and medulla of LHST. The same brain regions of LHST rats had higher concentrations of carbonylated proteins and lipid peroxidation products than in SHST rats. MAO activity was correlated with microsomal oxidation phenotype. Rats with higher hepatic content of CYP had higher activities of MAO-A and MAO-B in the brain and higher plasma serotonin levels than rats with lower microsomal oxidation. In conclusion, data obtained in this study showed a correlation between MAO activity and microsomal oxidation phenotype.

Role of hepatic microsomal oxidation in regulation of monoamine oxidase mediated processes in rat brain (727.1)

Monoamine oxidase (MAO) plays a key role in metabolism of biogenic amines and serves as a marker of alcoholism and depressive disorders. Various isoforms of cytochrome This study was focused on the relationship between MAO activity and hepatic content of cytochrome P450 which reflects the state of microsomal oxidation. Methods. For vital integrative evaluation of hepatic microsomal oxidation in rats, the hexobarbital sleep test was used. Content of cytochrome P450 was measured in hepatic microsomes. Activities of MAO‐A and MAO‐B were measured in the whole brain and brain structures. Content of serotonin, a MAO substrate was measured in the brain and plasma. Intensity of oxidative stress was evaluated by measuring lipid peroxidation products and carbonylated proteins in brain. Results. Rats with short hexibarbital sleep time (SHST) had higher content of microsomal cytochrome P450 than rats with long hexobarbital sleep time (LHST). Whole brain MAO‐A and MAO‐B activities, serotonin and carbonylated protein levels were higher in SHST than LHST rats. MAO‐A and MAO‐B activities were higher in brain cortex of SHST rats; only MAO‐A activity was higher in hypothalamus and medulla of LHST. The same brain regions of LHST rats had higher concentrations of carbonylated proteins and lipid peroxidation products. Conclusion. Data obtained in this study showed a correlation between MAO activity and microsomal oxidation phenotype. Rats with higher hepatic content of cytochrome P450 had higher activities of MAO‐A and MAO‐B in the brain and higher plasma serotonin levels than rats with lower microsomal oxidation. These correlations may reflect contribution of biogenic amines to regulation of cytochrome P450‐dependent monooxygenases and a role of cytochrome P450 in metabolism of biogenic amines and hormones regulating MAO activity including glucocorticoidsGrant Funding Source: Russian Foundation for Basic Research grant 11‐04‐01378‐а&14‐04‐01381‐a

An In Vivo Assay for Elucidating the Importance of Cytochromes P450 for the Ability of a Wild Mammalian Herbivore (Neotoma lepida) to Consume Toxic Plants

An in vivo assay using the cytochrome P450 (P450) suicide inhibitor 1-aminobenzotriazole (ABT) and 24-h food intake was developed to determine the relative importance of P450s in two populations of Neotoma lepida with respect to biotransformation of plant secondary compounds in the animals' natural diets. The efficacy of ABT as a P450 inhibitor was first validated using hypnotic-state assays with and without pretreatment with ABT. Pretreatment with 100 mg/kg ABT by gavage increased hexobarbital sleep times 3-4-fold in both populations, showing effective inhibition of P450s in woodrats. Next, the Great Basin population was fed a terpene-rich juniper diet, and the Mojave population was fed a phenolic-rich creosote diet, with rabbit chow serving as the control diet in each group. Treatment with ABT inhibited food intake in the Great Basin population fed the juniper diet to a greater extent (35%) than the Great Basin population fed the control diet (19%) or the Mojave population fed the creosote diet (16%). The food intake of the Mojave population fed the control diet was not significantly inhibited by ABT. The findings suggest that the biotransformation of terpenes in juniper relies more heavily on P450s than that of phenolics in creosote. This assay provides an inexpensive and noninvasive method to explore the relative importance of P450s in the biotransformation strategies of wild mammalian herbivores.

Effect of Perinatal Low Protein Diets on the Ontogeny of Select Hepatic Cytochrome P450 Enzymes and Cytochrome P450 Reductase in the Rat

In the present study, we administered two low protein diets (LPDs) to rats during pregnancy and lactation and determined their effect on the ontogeny of select hepatic cytochrome P450 (P450) isoforms in their offspring. The L93 and LM76 LPDs were derived from the American Society of Nutrition recommended AIN93G and a modified version of the AIN76A purified control diets, respectively. The LPDs contained 8% crude protein in the form of casein, whereas the purified control diets contained 19% casein. A regular cereal-based diet (NP) was also included, and, therefore, a total of five groups were tested. Pups in all five groups were weaned onto a regular NP diet on postnatal day 28. Perinatal LPD altered the activities of a number of P450 isoforms in 28-day-old male and female offspring. However, nutritional rehabilitation abolished most of these changes as evidenced by lack of differences between the five groups in the activities of P450 isoforms in either 65- or 150-day-old offspring. Interestingly, 58-day-old female offspring in the LM76 group but not those in the L93 group exhibited shorter hexobarbital sleep time than the purified control group. However, hexobarbital hydroxylase activity and the amount of CYP2C12 protein, an important P450 isoform involved in hexobarbital metabolism in females, were unchanged. This suggests that the decrease in hexobarbital sleep time in this group is not due to an increase in the activity of hexobarbital-metabolizing enzymes. In summary, perinatal LPDs produced transient alterations in activities of select hepatic P450s and resulted in a gender- and diet-dependent long-term alteration in hexobarbital pharmacodynamics.

Effects of furazolidone on duration of righting reflex loss induced with hexobarbital and zoxazolamine in the rat.

Effects of furazolidone (FZ) on the sleeping time induced with hexobarbital (HEX) and paralysis time induced by zoxazolamine (ZOX) were investigated by measuring the length of time required to recover from righting reflex loss in rats after oral administration of FZ at doses of 50, 100, 200 and 400 mg/kg/day for 4 successive days. Administration of 50 mg/kg to rats of both sexes induced no effect on the HEX sleeping time, but of 100 mg/kg FZ or more induced prolongation of sleeping time dose-dependently. In female rats, HEX sleeping time of the control group was twice that of the male rats, but HEX sleeping time after receiving FZ above 200 mg/kg was approximately the same as in the male rats. ZOX paralysis time exhibited no sex differences in the control rats, and it was significantly prolonged by FZ at a dose of 100 mg/kg or more. No significant differences in blood levels of HEX and ZOX at the time of recovery were found between the control and FZ treated rats, suggesting that FZ produced prolongation of the drug effects was due to the maintenance of the blood levels rather than the change in the sensitivities of rats at the receptor sites. Body weight gains were inhibited in the rats treated with FZ at doses over 100 mg/kg. Cytochrome P-450 content in hepatic microsomes in the rats which received 100 mg/kg FZ were slightly increased. It is suggested that successive oral administration of FZ to rats at high doses impaired drug clearance and this resulted in the prolongation of HEX sleeping and ZOX paralysis times.

P-Chlorophenyl Methyl Sulfide, p-Chlorophenyl Methyl Sulfoxide, and p-Chlorophenyl Methyl Sulfone. III. Toxicokinetics and Metabolism in Rats and Rhesus Monkeys

Pharmacokinetic properties of p-chlorophenyl methyl sulfide, p-chlorophenyl methyl sulfoxide, and p-chlorophenyl methyl sulfone were evaluated in rats and rhesus monkeys following oral administration of 14C radiolabeled test materials. In addition, urinary metabolite formation in treated rats was partially assessed, as was microsomal enzyme induction as determined by hexobarbital sleep time assays. All test materials were found to be rapidly absorbed following gavage dosing with a biphasic diminution of blood radiolabel in the rat. As an apparent result of higher dosage levels, rhesus monkeys exhibited both a delayed attainment of peak blood levels and a lower rate of elimination of blood 14C. A minor portion (5–7%) of urinary radioactivity from treated rats was not extractable with chloroform until incubation with deconjugation enzymes was conducted, releasing up to 50%. The values for rhesus monkeys were 15–62% and 50%, respectively; the former values are apparently elevated (relative to rat) due to saturation of conjugate-formation pathways. Decreases were observed for hexobarbital sleep times following 3-day treatment with 50 mg/kg of each of the test compounds and, consistent with hepatomegaly observed in subchronic studies, suggest induction of hepatic microsomal enzymes. The study supports evidence that these chemicals are cleared primarily via the urine in a dose-dependent manner, and are conjugated to water-soluble metabolites in both rats and rhesus monkeys.

Hepatic clotrimazole concentrations and hepatic drug metabolizing enzyme activities in adult male Sprague-Dawley rats

A single high dose, 75 mg/kg, of clotrimazole (CloTZ) was administered intragastrically (i.g.) to adult male Sprague-Dawley rats. Hepatic CloTZ concentrations were determined in organic extracts of whole liver homogenate, by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). The peak liver CloTZ concentration was found at 2.5 h post dose, and the liver t 1 2 was 11 h. With the present procedure CloTZ was detectable in the liver for up to 40 h and during this period, the hexobarbital sleep-time in these treated rats was prolonged. Between 40 and 120 h following a single dose of CloTZ, hexobarbital sleep-times were less than in untreated rats. The shortened sleep-time coincided with cytochrome P-450 induction which could be demonstrated in microsamal fractions obtained from the livers. Cytochrome P-450 catalyzed p-nitroanisole-demethylase a activity in the microsamal fractions in vitro was inhibited in the first 24 h and induced in microsomes prepared after that time.

Effect of exogenous pyruvate on acrylamide neuropathy in rats

The protective effect of exogenous sodium pyruvate on the distal-proximal progression of experimental acrylamide neuropathy in rats was examined. Incorporation of 2% (w/w) sodium pyruvate powder in the diet of rats receiving subcutaneous injections of an aqueous solution of acrylamide (35 mg/kg/day, 5 days/week) retarded the onset and development of functional, morphological, and biochemical measures of acrylamide neuropathy. Pyruvate supplementation did not alter hexobarbital sleep time or zoxazolamine paralysis time, two in vivo measures of microsomal mixed-function oxidase activity, and the disposition of radioactivity in plasma or sciatic nerve following subcutaneous injection of [ 14C]acrylamide. Although acrylamide can interfere with energy metabolism at a variety of sites where pyruvate can rescue neurons (axons), the data of this study are consistent with our earlier hypothesis that acrylamide neuropathy may be associated with a glycolytic deficit. The exact site of pyruvate protection is unknown. Exogenous pyruvate is perhaps utilized by axons to circumvent toxin-induced glycolytic inhibition and provide chemical energy for fast axonal transport.

Effect of tetrachlorophthalic anhydride on hepatic microsomal metabolism in rats and mice.

The capacity for induction of microsomal metabolic enzymes by tetrachlorophthalic anhydride (TCPA) was evaluated in male Sprague-Dawley rats and male CD-1 mice. The rats were orally dosed for 7 d with TCPA suspended in corn oil at 25, 100, 250, or 500 mg/kg. Following this treatment a dose-dependent reduction in the zoxazolamine paralysis time occurred over the dose range 100-500 mg/kg in the rat. No effect on the hexobarbital sleep time was observed at any test level. TCPA was found to produce statistically significant increases in hepatic aminopyrine N-demethylase, aniline hydroxylase, and cytochrome P-450 in the rat at 500 mg per kg. In addition statistically significant increases were seen in aniline hydroxylase and cytochrome P-450 at 25 mg/kg. Mice were orally dosed with TCPA for 7 d at 250, 500, or 1000 mg/kg. There was no effect in the zoxazolamine paralysis time or the hexobarbital sleep time in this species. Hepatic microsomal enzyme levels were not measured in the mouse. These results suggest that following oral dosage TCPA is a weak inducer of microsomal enzymes in the rat. A similar effect was not observed in the mouse for the parameters tested.

Anthracenedione antineoplastic agent effects on drug metabolism in vitro and in vivo: Relationship between structure and mechanism of inhibition

Two anthracenedione antineoplastic agents, mitoxantrone and the nonhydroxylated analog, ametantrone, were found to inhibit hepatic microsomal cytochrome P-450-dependent drug metabolism in vitro and in vivo. Ethoxycoumarin deethylase activity of phenobarbital-induced rabbit hepatic microsomes was inhibited 56 and 100% at 0.1 and 0.5 m m mitoxantrone, respectively, whereas activity was inhibited 38 and 88% at 0.1 and 0.5 m m ametantrone, respectively. Both mitoxantrone and ametantrone were noncompetitive inhibitors of ethoxycoumarin metabolism. Aryl hydrocarbon hydroxylase activity of hepatic microsomes was diminished 41 and 56% by 1 and 3 m m mitoxantrone, respectively; identical concentrations of ametantrone inhibited metabolism by 20 and 31%, respectively. In contrast to the inhibitory influence of both agents on monooxygenase activity, a differential effect on NADPH oxidation was observed. In the presence of benzo[α]-pyrene, mitoxantrone enhanced microsomal NADPH oxidation by 21%, whereas ametantrone produced a 22% decrease in cofactor oxidation relative to the control rate. The anthracenediones also inhibited hepatic cytochrome P-450-dependent monooxygenase activity in vivo, as evidenced by altered hexobarbital sleep times of mice. Mitoxantrone (20 and 40 mg/kg) prolonged sleep time by 59 and 68%, respectively; ametantrone (50 mg/kg) produced a 56% enhancement. These results demonstrate that both mitoxantrone and ametantrone inhibit drug metabolism in vitro and in vivo.

The Effect of Chronic Felbamate Administration on Anticonvulsant Activity and Hepatic Drug‐Metabolizing Enzymes in Mice and Rats

The possibility of tolerance development from chronic administration of felbamate (FBM) was investigated in mice and rats. Chronic administration (15 days) of FBM (150 mg/kg i.p.) in mice had no significant effect on either intravenous pentylenetetrazol (PTZ) seizure threshold or hexobarbital sleep time; however, hexobarbital sleep time was significantly increased after a single dose. Chronic administration (5-7 days) of FBM (48 or 95 mg/kg orally) in rats also had no significant effect on either maximal electroshock seizure activity or hexobarbital sleep time. Chronic administration of FBM at 238 mg/kg slightly decreased anti-subcutaneous PTZ activity in chronically treated rats (one of eight protected) as compared with those receiving only a single dose (three of eight protected), but there was no significant change in hexobarbital sleep time. Chronic treatment of rats for 7 days with 48 mg/kg had no significant effect on any hepatic parameters. However, 95 or 238 mg/kg of FBM significantly increased p-nitroanisole O-demethylase activity. It is concluded that the increased hexobarbital sleep time induced by an acute dose of FBM reflects the CNS-depressant effect of the substance. The increased p-nitroanisole O-demethylase activity observed after chronic administration may be indicative of some liver microsomal induction. Overall, FBM in doses ranging from 48 to 238 mg/kg appears to have minimal potential for tolerance development.

Anthracenedione Antineoplastic Agent Effects on Drug Metabolism in Vitro and in Vivo: Relationship between Structure and Mechanism of Inhibition

Anthracenedione Antineoplastic Agent Effects on Drug Metabolism in Vitro and in Vivo:Relationship between Structure and Mechanism of Inhibition. KHARASCH, E. D., WENDEL, N. K., AND NOVAK, R. F. (1987). Fundam. Appl Toxicol. 9, 18–25. Two anthracenedione antineoplastic agents, mitoxantrone and the nonhydroxylated analog, ametantrone, were found to inhibit hepatic microsomal cytochrome P-450-dependent drug metabolism in vitro and in vivo. Ethoxycoumarin deethylase activity of phenobarbital-induced rabbit hepatic microsomes was inhibited 56 and 100% at 0.1 and 0.5 mM mitoxantrone, respectively, whereas activity was inhibited 38 and 88% at 0.1 and 0.5 mM ametantrone, respectively. Both mitoxantrone and ametantrone were noncompetitive inhibitors of ethoxycoumarin metabolism. Aryl hydrocarbon hydroxylase activity of hepatic microsomes was diminished 41 and 56% by 1 and 3 mM mitoxantrone, respectively; identical concentrations of ametantrone inhibited metabolism by 20 and 31%, respectively. In contrast to the inhibitory influence of both agents on monooxygenase activity, a differential effect on NADPH oxidation was observed. In the presence of benzo[α]-pyrene, mitoxantrone enhanced microsomal NADPH oxidation by 21%, whereas ametantrone produced a 22% decrease in cofactor oxidation relative to the control rate. The anthracenediones also inhibited hepatic cytochrome P-450-dependent monooxygenase activity in vivo, as evidenced by altered hexobarbital sleep times of mice. Mitoxantrone (20 and 40 mg/kg) prolonged sleep time by 59 and 68%, respectively; ametantrone (50 mg/kg) produced a 56% enhancement. These results demonstrate that both mitoxantrone and ametantrone inhibit drug metabolism in vitro and in vivo.

Biochemical interactions of chlorine dioxide and its metabolites in rats.

The problems arising from trihalomethanes formation resulting from the inadvertent reactivity of chlorine with organic compounds contained in water supplies suggest an alternative to chlorine may be desirable. Chlorine dioxide (ClO2), which does not form trihalomethanes, is being considered as a very attractive alternative disinfectant. The study was conducted to examine the effect of ClO2 and its metabolites on the formation of chloroform,3H-thymidine incorporation in organs, and hepatic microsomal enzyme activities in rats. Male rats were administered 0, 10, 100 mg/L ClO2 or 1, 10 mg/L of ClO 2 - or ClO 3 - daily for one year in the drinking water. Blood chloroform levels were significantly decreased in the ClO2 groups at 2, 10 and 12 months treatment. Chlorite and chlorate groups show similar decreases in blood chloroform concentration after one year. However, no significant chloroform values in liver, kidney, spleen, testes, and brain were observed in any treatment groups at the same time period. Chlorine dioxide (5 mg/L) inhibits the formation of chloroform by HOCl (5, 10, 20 mg/L) and sodium citrate (1 mM) and the degree of inhibition depends on the ratio of ClO2/ HOCl. ClO2 and ClO 2 - administered in drinking water for three weeks inhibited the incorporation of3H-thymidine into nuclei of rat testes and small intestine. The incorporation in the liver was increased in both 10 and 100 mg/L ClO2 groups. Hepatic enzyme assays revealed that aniline hydroxylase activity was significantly increased in the 100 mg/L ClO2 group and hexobarbital sleep time studies showed slight decreases in the ClO2 treatment groups after one year treatment.

Defense mechanisms against cadmium toxicity I. A biochemical and histological study of the effects of pretreatment with cadmium on the acute oral toxicity of cadmium in mice.

Resistance to the lethal action of Cd2+ produced in mice was maintained for 6 to 24 hr after pretreatment with 1/10 of the challenge Cd2+ doses as shown by an increased oral LD50. Pretreatment 24 hr prior to the challenge doses was most effective. In addition, 1/20 to 1/7 of the challenge doses was necessary to acquire the tolerance to the acute oral toxicity of Cd2+. The largest effect was found for pretreatment with 1/7 of the challenge doses. Acute liver injury at 24 hr after challenge with a large dose of Cd2+ (100 mg Cd2+/kg, p.o.) was markedly reduced by pretreatment with a small dose of the cation (15 mg Cd2+/kg, p.o.) 24 or 48 hr prior to the challenge dose as shown by a marked reduction in serum GOT and GPT activities and the reversal of histopathological changes. The elevated serum urea nitrogen at 4 hr after the Cd2+ challenge was reduced by pretreatment 6 to 24 hr prior to the challenge dose. In spite of the increased urea nitrogen 4 hr after the Cd2+ challenge, no morphological alterations were observed in the kidney at 24 hr. Serum Alp activity was not significantly influenced by the Cd2+ challenge. Glucose in serum was increased by the administration of a small dose of Cd2+, but was unaffected by a large dose. Decreases in hepatic RNA and DNA concentrations at 24 hr after the Cd2+ challenge were prevented by pretreatment 24 or 48 hr prior to the challenge dose. Potentiation of hexobarbital sleep time was observed at 6 or 24 hr after a small dose of Cd2+. Nevertheless, further potentiation at 24 hr after the Cd2+ challenge (75 mg Cd2+/kg, p.o., in this case) was reduced by pretreatment 24 hr prior to the challenge dose. A major target organ for the acute oral toxicity of Cd2+ was the liver rather than the kidney.

Defense Mechanisms against Cadmium Toxicity I. A Biochemical and Histological Study of the Effects of Pretreatment with Cadmium on the Acute Oral Toxicity of Cadmium in Mice

Resistance to the lethal action of Cd2+ produced in mice was maintained for 6 to 24 hr after pretreatment with 1/10 of the challenge Cd2+ doses as shown by an increased oral LD50. Pretreatment 24 hr prior to the challenge doses was most effective. In addition, 1/20 to 1/7 of the challenge doses was necessary to acquire the tolerance to the acute oral toxicity of Cd2+. The largest effect was found for pretreatment with 1 /7 of the challenge doses. Acute liver injury at 24 hr after challenge with a large dose of Cd2+ (100 mg Cd2+/kg, p.o.) was markedly reduced by pretreatment with a small dose of the cation (15 mg Cd2+/kg, p.o.) 24 or 48 hr prior to the challenge dose as shown by a marked reduction in serum GOT and GPT activities and the reversal of histopathological changes. The elevated serum urea nitrogen at 4 hr after the Cd2+ challenge was reduced by pretreatment 6 to 24 hr prior to the challenge dose. In spite of the increased urea nitrogen 4 hr after the Cd2+ challenge, no morphological alterations were observed in the kidney at 24 hr. Serum Alp activity was not significantly influenced by the Cd2+ challenge. Glucose In serum was increased by the administration of a small dose of Cd2+, but was unaffected by a large dose. Decreases in hepatic RNA and DNA concentrations at 24 hr after the Cd2+ challenge were prevented by pretreatment 24 or 48 hr prior to the challenge dose. Potentiation of hexobarbital sleep time was observed at 6 or 24 hr after a small dose of Cd2+. Nevertheless, further potentiation at 24 hr after the Cd2+ challenge (75 mg Cd2+/kg, p.o., in this case) was reduced by pretreatment 24 hr prior to the challenge dose. A major target organ for the acute oral toxicity of Cd2+ was the liver rather than the kidney.

Prolongation of Hexobarbital Narcosis and Zoxazolamine Paralysis in Mice Pretreated with Food Additives

Hexobarbital sleeping time (HST) and zoxazolamine paralysis time (ZPT) were measured in male mice after oral administration of 14 food additives. HST and ZPT were significantly (P<0.05) prolonged when hexobarbital or zoxazolamine was given intraperitoneally after pretreatment with diphenyl, o-phenylphenol, piperonyl butoxide or thiabendazole. One hour after the pretreatment, the maximum prolongation of HST and ZPT was observed.To prolong HST or ZPT in mice, it was necessary to administer 50mg/kg of diphenyl, o-phenylphenol or thiabendazole to them. However, a dose of only 5mg/kg of piperonyl butoxide prolonged HST and ZPT.

Effect of cannabidiol on cytochrome P-450 and hexobarbital sleep time

The influences of acute and subacute cannabidiol (CBD) treatment and of subsequent drug withdrawal were investigated on hexobarbital-induced sleep time, on hepatic cytochrome P-450 concentration, on the in vitro formation of carbon monoxide (CO) associated with CBD metabolism, and on the kinetics of aminopyrine N-demethylase metabolism. In acutely treated mice, CBD prolonged sleep time, decreased cytochrome P-450 concentration, decreased the endogenous formation of CO, and increased an apparent K m for aminopyrine N-demethylase activity. In subacutely treated animals, tolerance developed to the effect on sleep time but not to that on cytochrome P-450 concentration nor on the endogenous formation of CO in vitro nor on the K m for the N-demethylase activity. Upon withdrawal from subacute treatment, tolerance to the sleep-time effect was still evident on day 14, but, by day 28, the sensitivity to CBD had returned to normal. In contrast, the cytochrome P-450 concentration returned to normal on day 14 of withdrawal, as did the K m for the N-demethylase activity and the ability of CBD to induce CO synthesis in vitro. The comparative results lead us to conclude that the CBD effect on sleep time does not correlate with either the total amount of cytochrome P-450 or with the CBD depressant effect on the cytochrome.

Tryptophan pyrrolase in haem regulation. The relationship between the depletion of rat liver tryptophan pyrrolase haem and the enhancement of 5-aminolaevulinate synthase activity by 2-allyl-2-isopropylacetamide.

Rat liver tryptophan pyrrolase haem is maximally depleted at 30 min after administration of a 400 mg/kg dose of 2-allyl-2-isopropylacetamide. This depletion lasts for 24 h, by which time 5-aminoleevulinate synthase activity becomes maximally enhanced. 2. though the above maximum depletion of pyrrolase haem (at 0.5h) is also produced by a 100 mg/kg dose of the porphyrogen, this does not enhance synthase activity at 24 h. It and smaller doses, however, cause a smaller but earlier enhancement of synthase activity (maximum at 2 h) and produce a similarly short-lived deplation of pyrrolase haem. 3. The depletion of pyrrolase haem and the enhancement of synthase activity by the porphyrogen are inhibited by compound SKF 525-A and phenazine methosulphate, and are potentiated by nicotinamide but not by phenobarbitone. Phenazine methosulphate and nicotinamide also exert opposite effects on hexobarbital sleeping-time. 4. 2-Allyl-2-isopropylacetamde also the depletes pyrrolase haem in vitro. It does so in liver homogenates of control rats in the presence, and in those of phenobarbitone-treated rats in the absence of added NADPH. 5. A discussion of the present results in relation to previous work with other haemoproteins suggests that, whereas cytochrome P-450 (haem) is primarily involved in the production of the active (porphyrogenic) metabolite(s) of 2-allyl-2-isopropylacetamide, the haem pool used by tryptophan pyrrolase may play an important role in the effects of this compound on haem biosynthesis.