Effect of Experimental Portacaval Shunt on Hepatic Drug Metabolizing Enzymes

Abstract

Diversion of the portal flow from the liver in rats results in a reduction of the activities of hepatic drug metabolizing enzymes. Such animals still respond to phenobarbital with an increase in hepatic enzyme levels and hypertrophy of smooth endoplasmic reticulum in hepatocytes. It is suggested that a defect in the detoxifying ability of the liver itself may play an additional role in portasystemic encephalopathy in man.