N-Benzylimidazole-mediated changes in hepatic drug-metabolizing enzyme activities in Ah-responsive and Ah-non-responsive mice

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Abstract
1. The inductive effect of N-benzylimidazole (NBI) on hepatic microsomal and cytosolic drug-metabolizing enzyme activities in aryl hydrocarbon (Ah)-responsive C57BL/6N (B6) and Ah-non-responsive DBA/2N (D2) mouse strains was determined and compared with that caused by β-naphthoflavone (BNF). 2. Relative Ah-responsiveness of the two strains was confirmed by measurement of BNF-induced ethoxyresorufin deethylase (EROD) activity and ELISA immunoquantification. BNF markedly induced EROD activity only in the Ah-responsive B6 mouse strain (65-fold increase). 3. NBI (150mg/kg per day for 3 days) increased cytochrome P450 concentration similarly in both strains (40 and 60% in B6 and D2 strains, respectively). Compared with BNF treatment of the B6 strain, increases in EROD activity following NBI treatment were only minor. In addition, EROD activity increases were greater in the Ah-nonresponsive D2 strain (300%) than in the Ah-responsive B6 strain (100%) suggesting the possibility of an induction mechanism different from that of recognized Ah receptor agonists. 4. Induction of UDP-glucuronosyltransferase activity (p-nitrophenol acceptor) by BNF was greater in the Ah-responsive B6 strain than in the Ah-non-responsive D2 strain. NBI failed to induce this activity in either strain. 5. Induction of glutathione S-transferase activity towards 1-chloro-2,4-dinitrobenzene following NBI treatment occurred to the same extent (25% increase) as that seen following BNF treatment, in the Ah-responsive B6 strain. Neither xenobiotic affected this activity in the Ah-non-responsive D2 strain. 6. Although NBI is a major inducer, possessing Ah-like inducing properties in rat, it caused only minor changes in murine drug metabolizing enzymes. Except for glutathione S-transferase activity, the small increases in enzyme activity did not co-segregate with Ah-responsiveness.