Metabolism of Drugs. XI. The Relationship between Hypnotic Activity and Metabolism of Ethylhexabital. (2). The Effect of Sex Hormones.

抄録

The effect of sex hormones on EHB hypnosis was investigated from both the EHB-metabolizing activity of the liver and sensitivity of the brain to EHB. In the male rat, castration lowered EHB-metabolizing activity of the liver and testosterone treatment accelerated this lowered activity. Estradiol did not alter the activity of castrated rat liver but lowered that of normal rat. In the female rat, the EHB-metabolizing activity of the liver was accelerated by ovariectomy before but not after maturation. Estradiol antagonized the accelerating effect of testosterone on the metabolism of EHB in the liver. In both sexes, the respiratory rate and sensitivity of the brain to EHB were not influenced by any treatment. In the castrated mouse, testosterone did not influence the EHB-metabolizing activity of the liver. It was concluded that the influence of sex hormones on the duration of EHB hypnosis was mainly due to their effect on EHB-metabolizing activity of the liver and not on sensitivity of the brain to EHB.