Modulation of Carcinogen-Metabolizing Enzymes by Gallic Acid and Its Synthetic Analogue Propylgallate in Mice

Dietary administration of phenolics, gallic acid, and its synthetic analogue propylgallate at varying dose levels for the period of 4 and 8 weeks to inbred male Swiss mice resulted in a significant increase in hepatic cytochrome P-450 (Cyt P-450) without any alteration in arylhydrocarbon hydroxylase (AHH) and cytochrome b5 (Cyt b5) activities. The activity of glutathione-S-transferase (GST) showed a significant elevation by these phenolics in both liver and lungs. However, they had a differential effect on the levels of reduced glutathione (GSH) in both organs. Increased levels of GST and GSH elicited by these phenolics may protect the organism from the insult of various toxic carcinogenic chemicals.