ROLE OF BETA-CAROTENE ON THE CHANGES IN ACTIVITY PATTERNS AND LEVELS OF BIOTRANSFORMING ENZYMES IN TRANSPLANTABLE MURINE LYMPHOMA

The differential levels of induction of hepatic microsomal cytochrome P-450 (cyt. P-450), UDP-glucuronyl transferase (UDPGT) and cytosolic g lutathione-S-transferase (GST) activities were evaluated over various periods of time, following tumor transplantation in male Swiss albino mice in the presence and absence of beta-carotene supplementation in t heir basal diet (100 mg/kg). An increase in the total hepatic microsom al cytochrome-P-450 and UDP-glucuronyl transferase and cytosolic GSH-t ransferase activities (1.5 to 2 fold) occurred during the later stage of tumor progression (22 +/- 2 days onwards). However, beta-carotene s upplementation throughout the study increased or decreased the random activity trends of the above markers significantly (P < 0.05-< 0.01). Finally, p-carotene supplementation could enhance the survival of the host bearing lymphoma by almost 2-fold (50-60 days) over and above the lymphoma controls (30-35 days).