Human gamma interferon given for up to 5 days by subcutaneous infusion or intraperitoneal injection did not significantly alter mouse hepatic microsomal oxidative drug-metabolizing enzyme activities. In contrast, murine gamma interferon and human alpha interferon given for 5 days at the same dose (10(7) units/kg) caused 25 and 50% decreases, respectively, in hepatic microsomal cytochrome P-450 concentrations. The human alpha interferon-induced decline in cytochrome P-450 was accompanied by a significant drop in p-nitroanisole demethylase activity and significant elevations in serum alanine aminotransferase and cytosolic glutathione S-transferase activities. An elevation in glutathione-S-transferase was the only significant change found following human gamma interferon administration. Microsomal UDP-glucuronosyltransferase activity was unaffected by any interferon.