Abstract

After administration of SKF 525-A to rats a portion of the cytochrome P-450 in hepatic microsomes was found in the reduced form as a stable complex absorbing at 452 nm. As much as 40% of the total cytochrome P-450 was bound in the complexed form after a single administration of SKF 525-A. The addition of potassium ferricyanide (50 muM) to hepatic microsomes from SKF 525-A-treated rats destroyed the complex and made the total cytochrome P-450 available for carbon monoxide binding. At early times after administration of SKF 525-A, when the amount of complexed cytochrome P-450 was maximum, mixed-function oxidase activities (p-nitroanisole O-demethylase and norbenzphetamine 455-nm complex formation) were greatly inhibited. Later, as the amount of complexed cytochrome P-450 slowly decreased, these mixed-function oxidase activities gradually returned and reached control values in about 48 hr. Induction with daily doses of SKF 525-A for several days increased total cytochrome P-450 content up to 5-fold, which was more than induction with phenobarbital, but this was evident only after destruction of the complex with ferricyanide. The maximum increase in uncomplexed cytochrome P-450 was only 2-fold. Treatment of these microsomal suspensions with ferricyanide enhanced ethylmorphine N-demethylase, p-nitroanisole O-demethylase and norbenzphetamine 455-nm complex formation.