Nicotinamide-induced modification of hepatic MFO systems in tumour-bearing rats, treated with anti-cancer drugs

Chemotherapeutic drugs like cyclophospamide (100 mg/kg b.wt.) and 5-fluorouracil (120 mg/kg b.wt.) caused significant inhibition in cytochrome P450 (cytP450)-dependent hepatic microsomal drug metabolising enzymes in rats. A similar decrease in these enzyme activities was also seen in the host liver of tumour-bearing animals. However, a non-toxic, endogenous (vitamin B3) metabolite, nicotinamide (100 mg/kg b.wt.) could effectively restore the hepatic drug metabolising enzyme levels back to control values in tumour-bearing animals treated with cyclophospamide and 5-fluorouracil.