Modulation of drug metabolism by food restriction in male rats

Forty-five percent food restriction for 28 days in male rats caused a significant decrease in hexobarbital sleeping time which was inversely related to hepatic cytochrome P-450 content. These changes corroborated well with enhanced in vitro activity of hepatic microsomal aniline hydroxylase, p-chloromethylaniline-N-demethylase and p-nitrobenzoate reductase and concomitant increases in cytosolic G-6-P + 6-PG dehydrogenase and malic enzyme activities. Thus food restriction, unlike starvation, enhances drug metabolism and related enzymatic activity.