N-benzylimidazole, a high magnitude inducer of rat hepatic cytochrome P-450 exhibiting both polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon- and phenobarbital-type induction of phase I and phase II drug-metabolizing enzymes.
The effects of N-benzylimidazole on hepatic microsomal and cytosolic drug-metabolizing enzymes were compared to the effects produced by phenobarbital, beta-naphthoflavone, a polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon, and Aroclor 1254, a polychlorinated biphenyl mixture. N-Benzylimidazole was a "high magnitude" inducer of male rat hepatic cytochrome P-450, inducing cytochrome P-450 over 3 times above control. N-Benzylimidazole exhibited mixed type induction of cytochrome P-450, producing both polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon- and phenobarbital-type induction. There was no evidence of imidazole (isoniazid) type induction characteristics. Microsomes from rats treated with either Aroclor 1254 or N-benzylimidazole showed a common pattern of induction of the cytochrome P-450-dependent properties and glucuronosyltransferase activities, and the electrophoretic profiles of proteins were also similar. Cytosolic glutathione transferase activity was also induced similarly after treatment with the two agents.
D000818:Animals; D003577:Cytochrome P-450 Enzyme System / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D004591:Electrophoresis, Polyacrylamide Gel; D004790:Enzyme Induction / Q000187:drug effects; D007093:Imidazoles / Q000494:pharmacology*; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D008297:Male; D008862:Microsomes, Liver / Q000187:drug effects / Q000201:enzymology; D006899:Mixed Function Oxygenases / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D010634:Phenobarbital / Q000494:pharmacology*; D011083:Polycyclic Compounds / Q000494:pharmacology*; D051381:Rats; D011919:Rats, Inbred Strains
D007093:Imidazoles; D011083:Polycyclic Compounds; C017062:1-benzylimidazole; D003577:Cytochrome P-450 Enzyme System; D006899:Mixed Function Oxygenases; D010634:Phenobarbital