The influence of n-hexane treatment on the glucuronic acid pathway and activity of some drug-metabolozing enzymes in guinea-pig

Treatment of guinea-pigs with n-hexane for 8 days enhanced the in vitro glucuronyl conjugation of p-nitrophenol. This induction was accompanied by a significantly enhanced microsomal protein content. However, the in vitro rates of the p-hydroxylation of aniline and the N-hemethylation of aminopyrine were slightly decreased and unchanged, respectively, during this treatment. An increased urinary excretion of d-glucuronic acid and d-glucaric acid paralleled the induction of UDPglucuronyltransferase. The excretion of glucuronides in the urine was already enhanced within 24 hr after the first dose of n-hexane. The conclusion is drawn that n-hexane may be considered as a specific inducer of the glucuronidation system.