PRISTANE-INDUCED EFFECTS ON CYTOCHROME P-4501A, ORNITHINE DECARBOXYLASE AND PUTRESCINE IN RATS

The effects of pristane (2,6,10,14-tetramethylpentadecane) on cytochro me P-4501A (cP4501A) activity in microsomes, as well as on ornithine d ecarboxylase (ODC) activity and concomitant putrescine levels were exa mined in Copenhagen rats. In general, pristane treatment led to increa sed cP4501A levels when compared to basal levels, while co-treatment w ith 3-methylcholanthrene (3-MC) and pristane elicited augmented cP4501 A responses when compared to responses induced by 3-MC alone, Increase s in both ODC activity and putrescine levels were also observed in pri stane treated rats. Collectively, these results indicate that pristane influences cP4501A activity and elicits promoter-like responses as re flected in elevated ODC activity and increased amount of putrescine.