Abstract
Effect of cobalt on heme metabolism and its related enzymes were investigated and obtained the following results. 1. A single administration of cobaltous chloride dosing 40 mg/kg to rat caused an enlargement of the liver and reduction of the kidney and spleen weights. 2. Activity of heme oxygenase increased and contents of cyt. P-450 and activity of catalase decreased. 3. Activity of δ-aminolevulinic acid synthetase (ALAS) in cytoplasm increased but that of mitochondria decreased. These results suggest that cobalt inhibits the translocation of the newly synthesized ALAS from the cytosol to mitochondria. 4. Metabolic rate of aniline (Type 2) per nmol cyt. P-450 was not changed but that of aminopyrine (Type 1) increased. 5. Peroxidation rate of lipids did not change.
