Differences between small and large intestine and liver in the inducibility of microsomal enzymes in response to stimulation by phenobarbitone and betanaphthoflavone in the diet.

Rats were fed either sodium phenobarbitone (PB) or betanaphthoflavone (BNF) for seven days. Deethylation of 7-ethoxyresorufin ( 7ERR ) and 7-ethoxycoumarin ( 7EC ) was measured in small and large intestine and liver, and cytochrome P-450 in liver. Our semi-purified diet was shown to produce minimal levels of intestinal deethylation activity. BNF was added to the semi purified diet and fed at levels from 0.1 to 100 mg BNF/kg of diet. Significant (P less than 0.05) induction of deethylation in small intestine was seen at all dose levels, ranging from 2-fold at 0.1 mg/kg diet to greater than 100-fold at 100 mg/kg diet. A 3-fold increase was also seen in the large intestine at 50 mg/kg. A significant increase in hepatic deethylation was only seen at 100 mg/kg. PB was administered in drinking water at 50, 100 and 1000 mg PB/l. Significant (P less than 0.05) induction of hepatic deethylation was seen at all dose levels, ranging from 2-fold at 50 mg/l to 5-fold at 1000 mg/l. Hepatic cytochrome P450 was also increased. No significant increase in intestinal deethylation was seen at any of the doses used.