Changes in some rat hepatic microsomal components induced by prolonged administration of chloroquine.

Alterations in microsomal drug metabolizing enzymes and phospholipids following prolonged exposure to chloroquine have been investigated. The levels of microsomal aminopyrine-N-demethylase, aniline hydroxylase and both microsomal and cytosolic glutathione-S-transferase are reduced in treated rats. Microsomal epoxide hydrolase is unaffected by the treatment. An increase in the cholesterol-phospholipid ratio and a decrease in the phosphocholine-sphingomyelin ratio occur. There is a general reduction in the total microsomal phospholipid level though the percentage content of sphingomyelin is higher in all cases. The reduction in microsomal phospholipid level is probably due to a reduced incorporation of acetate into microsomal phospholipids as shown in this study using radioactive sodium acetate.