Induction of hepatic microsomal drug-metabolizing enzymes by sulfur-containing metabolites of chlorinated benzenes in rats.

3,5-Dichlorophenyl methyl sulfide and its oxidized compounds, metabolites of m-dichlorobenzene, increased the activity of aniline hydroxylase and aminopyrine N-demethylase and the content of cytochromes P-450 and b5 in rat liver microsomes. Hexobarbital sleeping time was reduced by these three compounds. After the administration of the sulfide to rats, 3,5-dichlorophenyl methyl sulfone appeared in blood, liver, and kidneys, and remained detectable in the blood and the tissues between 120 and 240 hr. The sulfone was considered to play a principal role in the induction by these compounds. Other chlorophenyl methyl sulfones also showed similar induction activity.