Effect of long-term cold exposure on activities of cytochrome P450-containing monooxygenases and glutathione S-transferase in rat liver microsomes.

Long-term cold exposure (5 degrees C) was followed by induction of rat liver monooxygenases. We revealed an increase in activity of NADPH-cytochrome C reductase, total content of cytochrome P450 (CYP), and activities of its molecular forms CYP1A1, 1A2, 2B1/B2, 2E1, and 3A1/A2 in microsomes. These indexes reached maximum by the 10th day, but decreased with lengthening of cold exposure. Glutathione S-transferase activity decreased under these conditions. Changes in enzyme activity could be related to the increase in blood corticosterone concentration.