Effect of arecanut, a masticatory, on hepatic drug metabolizing enzymes -SH content and lipid peroxidation in lactating mothers and their suckling neonates.

The modulation caused by arecanut, a major ingredient of the masticatory substance betel quid, on biotransformation system enzymes, acid soluble sulfhydryl (-SH) content and lipid peroxidation was assessed in lactating mice and their neonates. Following parturition, dams were fed a 1% arecanut diet and F1 mice were nursed by their own mothers during the lactation period of 21 days. Arecanut induced significant increases in the levels of cytochrome b5, cytochrome P-450, glutathione S-transferase and malondialdehyde (MDA) in dams and their pups. However, it decreased the -SH content in lactating mice and F1 progeny; whether the F1 mice were exposed to the translactational dose of arecanut for 21 days or to a similar translactational dose plus a dietary dose of arecanut for additional post weaning period of 21 days, the pattern of changes in the profile of biotransformation system enzymes was essentially similar. The changes elicited by arecanut intake in the levels/activities of enzymes of the biotransformation system, MDA level and -SH content may enhance the susceptibility of neonatal stages of mice to the action of chemical carcinogens.