Response of the rat's hepatic drug-metabolizing enzyme system to chemotherapy of Trypanosoma b. brucei infections with Berenil and Suramin.

Berenil (4,4-diamidinodiazoaminobenzene-diacetamide acetate) or Suramin [sodium salt of 8-(3-benzamido-4-methylbenzamido)-naphthalene-1,3,5-trisulfonic acid] treatment of rats infected with Trypanosoma b. brucei enhanced hepatic microsomal aniline hydroxylase and p-aminopyrine N-demethylase activities. While Suramin inhibited significantly the activities of cytoplasmic glutamate dehydrogenase and lactate dehydrogenase, Berenil had no effect. The kinetic profiles of these enzymes consistently showed a Km value similar to that of controls. Both cytosolic and microsomal glutathione-S transferase and microsomal epoxide hydratase were unaffected by Suramin. However, a significant increase in cytosolic glutathione-S transferase was observed with Berenil. Microsomal phospholipids were not affected by any of the drugs.