Document Type

Thesis - Open Access

Award Date

1970

Degree Name

Master of Science (MS)

Department / School

Pharmaceutical Sciences

Abstract

The purpose of this study was two-fold: {A) To obtain information concerning the influence of sodium phenobarbital on the hepatic microsomal enzyme system which reduces adenosine triphosphate in adult male and female rats; (B) To measure the development of hepatic adenosine triphosphatase activity of newborn and infant rats. Intraperitoneal administration of 30 to 150 mgm./Kq. of sodium phenobarbital for three to five days to adult male and female rats did not increase adenosine triphosphatase activity. These findings are rather pertinent since many enzyme systems are stimulated by much lower dosage levels of enzyme inducers, such as sodium Phenobarbital, over a much shorter induction period. In addition, it is interesting to note that the hepatic adenosine triphosphatase activity of male and female rats is similar. This may indicate that a primary source of metabolic regulation, the androgenic and estroqenic hormones, perform no significant role in regulating hepatic adenosine triphosphatase activity. This effect is rather unusual since many enzymes are hormonally regulated and illustrate increased activity in one of the sexes. The hepatic microsomal enzyme system of newborn and infant rats which reduces adenosine triphosphate is similar to the activity demonstrated in adult rats. These results are contrary to a great deal of the literature concerning stimulation of many enzyme systems by sodium phenobarbital. Furthermore, the fact that these results showed that newborn and infant rat liver adenosine triphosphatase activity is similar to the adult rat hepatic adenosine triphosphatase activity indicates that this particular enzyme system differs from most enzyme systems since many microsomal enzymes increase in activity until the onset of maturity. However, it does appear that hepatic adenosine triphosphatase activity reaches its maximum activity very early in life; probably as early as the intra-uterine fetal development. The exact period of fetal development of adenosine triphosphatase activity would be of scientific interest, for few, if any, enzymes exhibit maximum activity early in fetal life.

Library of Congress Subject Headings

Enzymes

South Dakota State University Theses

Format

application/pdf

Number of Pages

37

Publisher

South Dakota State University

Download

Share

COinS