DRUG-METABOLIZING-ENZYMES IN THE OSTRICH (STRUTHIO-CAMELUS) - COMPARISON WITH THE CHICKEN AND THE RAT

The activities of selected hepatic and renal drug-metabolizing enzymes of the ostrich, chicken and rats were compared. The concentration of glutathione in the liver and kidneys of the avian species was signific antly lower than that in the rat. The activity of ostrich hepatic glut athione S-transferase was 2-fold higher than that of the chicken and t he rat and the renal glutathione S-transferase of the ostrich was 10 t imes higher than that of the rat. The activity of ostrich hepatic UDP- glucuronyl transferase was significantly lower than that of the rat. T he activities of hepatic cytochrome P450 1A and 2B1/2 as measured by t he dealkylation of ethoxy- and methoxyresorufin, respectively, were hi gher in the avian species than the rat; no difference was noticed in t he activity of aniline hydroxylase. The results show that the activity of ostrich drug-metabolizing enzyme system is quantitatively differen t from the rat and in many cases also from the chicken. Copyright (C) 1997 Elsevier Science Inc.