Abstract
Bilirubin (B) glucuronyl-transferase (GT) activity was studied in liver homogenates of pregnant (P) and non-pregnant (NP) female rats. Activity in NP rats was 1286±166(3.D.) ug B conjugated/g liver/40 min (N=13) and in P rats (5 to 21 days gestation) was 1271±211 (N=43). No change in maternal liver GT activity was observed during pregnancy. Administration of phenobarbital (PB)(100mg/Kg) to 6 NP rats for 3 days increased GT activity to 2061±208 (62%). Similar treatment of 47 P rats resulted in progressive decrease in GT stimulation as a function of increasing days of gestation (figure). In P and NP rats, 3 days PB treatment resulted in no increase in either liver weight or liver protein concentration. Hepatic PB concentrations were the same in NP and in P throughout pregnancy. Thus, base enzyme activity was not altered by pregnancy but response to PB stimulation was reduced suggesting a previously unrecognized effect of pregnancy on enzyme induction.
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Vaisman, S., Gartner, L. DIMINISHED RESPONSE OF HEPATIC GLUCURONYL-TRANSFERASE TO PHENOBARBITAL DURING PREGNANCY. Pediatr Res 8, 366 (1974). https://doi.org/10.1203/00006450-197404000-00157
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1203/00006450-197404000-00157
