The influence of phenobarbital on carbohydrate metabolism in developing rat liver.

The influences of phenobarbital (PB) on enzymes of the carbohydrate metabolism in rat liver are examined during pre- and postnatal development. The following results are obtained: (1) PB generally increases G-6-Pase before and after birth. (2) Both the active and the inactive forms of phosphorylase are increased significantly during the prenatal periods. During the postnatal periods, mainly the active form of phosphorylase is influenced by PB. (3) Total glycogen synthetase is increased by PB during prenatal development but decreased during postnatal development. (4) The activity of alpha-glucosidase is increased during the prenatal period. (5) The activity of F-6-PK and 6-PGDH are decreased during the prenatal periods and G-6-PDH activity is decreased during both pre- and postnatal periods.