RESUMO
A study was undertaken to investigate the activities of certain enzymes of drug metabolism in zinc deficiency. For this purpose, an experimental model for zinc deficiency was produced in a NIN/Wistar strain of rats by feeding an egg albumin-starch based diet. Of the two enzymes of Phase I pathway of drug metabolism studied, Benz (alpha) pyrene hydroxylase was altered in zinc deficiency and food restriction; the other one microsomal epoxide hydrolase was unchanged. The activity of glutathione-S-transferase, a key enzyme in conjugation reaction was significantly lowered in zinc deficiency as well as food restriction. These alterations in the activities of xenobiotic metabolising enzymes are discussed with reference to toxicity manifestation in zinc deficiency.