Effect of Food Additives and Colors on Microsomal Drug-metabolizing Enzymes of Rat Liver

Abstract

Effects of short term administration of food additives and colors on microsomal drug-metabolizing enzyme in rats liver were investigated.
1. Oil yellow OB, 2-(2-furyl)-3-(5-nitro-2-furyl) acrylamide, dibutylhydroxytoluene, propyl gallate and sodium dehydroacetate caused liver enlargement in rats.
2. A significant decrease in the activity of serum cholinesterase was observed in the rats treated with oil yellow OB or naphthol yellow S.
3. The activities of aminopyrine N-demethylation, hexobarbital hydroxylation and butynamine N-demethylation in liver microsomes were significantly increased in dibutylhydroxytoluene treated rats.
4. The duration of pentobarbital narcosis was significantly decreased in dibutylhydroxytoluene treated rats and it appeared to be decreased in dehydroacetic acid treated rats.
It is, therefore, supposed that the relatively high lipid soluble compounds which are metabolized in liver microsomes, such as dibutylhydroxytoluene, increased the activities of drug-metabolizing enzymes in liver microsomes.