EFFECTS OF VITAMIN-E-DEFICIENCY ON HEPATIC-MICROSOMAL CYTOCHROME-P450AND PHASE-II ENZYMES IN MALE AND FEMALE RATS

The effects of a vitamin E (VE) deficient diet given for 120 days on t otal cytochrome P450 (P450) contents and UDP-glucuronyl transferase (U DPGT) and sulfotransferase (ST) activities were investigated in rat li ver of both sexes. The VE deficient regimen lowered the serum VE level s, increasing the hepatic malondialdehyde concentration regardless of animal sex, which shows an elevation of the tissue peroxidisability. H epatic total P450 contents were significantly decreased in male rats g iven the VE deficient diet, whereas the effects on female rats were le ss obvious. Concerning phase II enzymes, VE deficiency had no effect o n the activities of UDPGT and ST in rats of both sexes. The data sugge st that overall capacity of detoxification of xenobiotics may be impai red by VE deficiency to a much greater extent in male than in female r at liver.