Biochemical aspects in the experimental barbital dependence IV--its effect on the hexokinase and phosphofructokinase activities in the rat brain.

Effects of barbital dosing on the neural hexokinase (EC 2.7.1.1) and phosphofructokinase (EC 2.7.2.11) activities in the rat, were examined. The barbital dependence in the rat was acquired by giving the barbital-admixed food. These two enzyme activities were investigated in the following three dissected portions of the brain: cerebral cortex, brain stem and cerebellum. The both enzyme activities in these three portions were depressed by the barbital dosing, while them being increased at the early stage of its withdrawal. From these results, it is considered that the measurements of hexokinase and phosphofructokinase activities probably give a possibility to estimate the degree of barbital dependence and its withdrawal, and that these two enzyme activities can be good indices in these conditions.