Porphyria was induced in C57BL/10 mice with iron overload by a single oral dose (100 mg/kg) of hexachlorobenzene (HCB). Within 2 weeks hepatic uroporphyrinogen decarboxylase (EC 4.1.1.37) was inhibited, reaching a maximum (greater than 95%) at 6-8 weeks. There was no recovery by 14 weeks, despite a fall in liver HCB concentrations to only 6% of the day-3 value. The major rise in hepatic porphyr...

We have defined conditions that permit quantitative and specific measurement of the metabolism of the major phenobarbital-inducible form of cytochrome P-450 protein in primary non-proliferating monolayer cultures of adult rat hepatocytes. Isolated antibodies specifically directed against phenobarbital cytochrome P-450 are used to immunoprecipitate the cytochrome from lysates of cultured hepatoc...

We have investigated the response of rat liver nuclear, nuclear envelope, and microsomal cytochrome P-450 (or P-448) to various treatments. Responses of these subcellular fractions to 3-methylcholanthrene pretreatment were generally similar. In endoplasmic reticulum preparations, we observed an increase in cytochrome P-450 content following phenobarbital pretreatment, which was reduced by subse...

The roles of different forms of cytochrome P-450 in activation and deactivation of toxic chemicals, synthesis and breakdown of steroid hormones, and other functions, indicate the significance of these enzymes. Monooxygenase systems have been studied in species from several phyla of aquatic organisms. However, cytochrome P-450, the dominant catalyst in xenobiotic monooxygenase activity, is best ...

Effects of four cannabinoids [cannabidiol (CBD), delta 8-tetrahydrocannabinol, delta 9-tetrahydrocannabinol, and cannabinol] on hepatic microsomal oxidation of testosterone (17 beta-hydroxy-androst-4-ene-3-one) were examined in adult male rats. Only CBD (30 microM) competitively inhibited 2 alpha-hydroxy-testosterone (2 alpha-OH-T) and 16 alpha-OH-T formation by hepatic microsomes but did not a...

We have studied the mechanism of the regulation of plasma membrane Ca2+ permeability by the degree of filling of the intracellular Ca2+ stores. Using Mn2+ as a Ca2+ surrogate for plasma membrane Ca2+ channels, we found that Mn2+ uptake by rat thymocytes is inversely related to the degree of filling of the intracellular Ca2+ stores. This store-dependent plasma membrane permeability is inhibited ...