The organophosphorous pesticide malathion is metabolized by three hepatic enzyme systems: the microsomal cytochrome P-450-dependent monooxygenase system, the microsomal carboxylesterases, and the cytosolic glutathione S-transferases. We produced differential induction of these three enzyme systems in mice with phenobarbital and 2(3)-tert-butyl-4-hydroxyanisole (BHA) and examined the effects of the induction on the inhibition of acetylcholinesterases by malathion. Phenobarbital not only significantly induced hepatic microsomal cytochrome P-450 (p less than 0.05) but also increased microsomal carboxylesterase activity (p less than 0.05). BHA not only increased the activity of microsomal carboxylesterases (p less than 0.05) but also substantially increased cytosolic glutathione S-transferase activity (p less than 0.05). Despite the differential effects of phenobarbital and BHA on the three enzyme systems, neither agent protected the mice against malathion toxicity.