In vivo Action of 9,10-Dimethyl-l,2-Benzanthracene on Some Enzymes of Rat Tissues

Enzymatic changes in liver, spleen and thymus of Sprague-Dawley rats during acute intoxication with the carcinogenic hydrocarbon 9,10-dimethyl-1,2-benzanthracene have been investigated. The following enzymes were considered: phosphoglucoisomerase, aldolase and succinicdehydrogenase. The values of hepatic aldolase, splenic and thymic phosphoglucoisomerase showed a slight increase during the first 1-2 days following the treatment. Subsequently, an inhibition of the three enzymatic activities was evident in both liver and thymus, particularly in the latter. In the spleen, only the aldolase was inhibited. In addition, the glycolytic activity was found to be decreased in the liver and thymus. The severity of the thymic damage under the present experimental conditions is emphasized.