Abstract
The effect of a tranquilizer (chlorpromazine HCl), a diuretic (hydrochlorthiazide), an antihydroxylation agent (metyrapone), and known inducers of hepatic microsomal drug-metabolizing enzymes (phenobarbital, 3-methylcholanthrene, 4-methylcoumarin) on drug metabolism in various organs of the rat has been studied.
In all organs tested (liver, brain, kidneys, intestines, adrenals) various drug-metabolizing enzymes (aminopyrine demethylase, aniline hydroxylase, coumarin 3-hydroxylase, hexobarbital oxidase) could be demonstrated at various levels. However, the liver was the only organ in which drug metabolizing enzymes were induced by these compounds in various degrees. Even the hydroxylase inhibitor, metyrapone, increased hepatic hydroxylation. There was no change in the activity of these enzymes in any other organs. It appears, therefore, that the specific pharmacologic action of various drugs on target organs may not be connected with induction of drug metabolism.