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Determination of microsomal UDP-glucuronyltransferase in needle-biopsy specimens of human liver

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Summary

Sensitive, reliable and convenient assays are described for the study of human liver microsomal UDP-glucuronyltransferase. Using14C-1-naphthol as substrate about 2 mg of a liver biopsy specimen and for14C-morphine about 20 mg of tissue will suffice for enzyme estimation. Lack of inhibition of 1-naphthol glucuronidation by morphine suggests that the substrates are glucuronidated by different forms of the enzyme. Enzyme levels in the native and activated state were studied in biopsies from patients grouped according to histopathological and clinical criteria. The enzyme assays may help to characterize UDP-glucuronyltransferases in human tissues and their induction by drugs and environmental chemicals, as well as their alteration in various diseases.

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Abbreviations

GT:

UDP-glucuronyltransferase

UDPNAG:

UDP-N-acetylglucosamine

UDPGA:

UDP-glucuronic acid

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Author information

Author notes

  1. G. Brunner

    Present address: Department of Gastroenterology, Medizinische Hochschule Hannover, Germany

  2. H. Hoensch

    Present address: Department of Medicine, University of Tübingen, Germany

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Göttingen, Federal Republic of Germany

    K. W. Bock, G. Brunner, H. Hoensch, E. Huber & D. Josting

  2. Department of Toxicology, University of Tübingen, Federal Republic of Germany

    K. W. Bock, G. Brunner, H. Hoensch, E. Huber & D. Josting

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  1. K. W. Bock
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  2. G. Brunner
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  3. H. Hoensch
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  4. E. Huber
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  5. D. Josting
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Bock, K.W., Brunner, G., Hoensch, H. et al. Determination of microsomal UDP-glucuronyltransferase in needle-biopsy specimens of human liver. Eur J Clin Pharmacol 14, 367–373 (1978). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00611908

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00611908

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