Biochemical Studies of Experimental Porphyria

Abstract

Our previous study showed that a 0.1% concentration of griseofulvin (GF) in feed induced an abnormality of porphyrin metabolism in some dd‐K strain mice. To investigate the kind of changes in porphyrin metabolism that would be produced by other chemicals compared to the administration of 0.1% GF alone, estrogen, ethyl alcohol‐iron mixture and PCB was given to dd‐K strain mice. The numbers of mice with high liver protoporphyrin levels were increased in the group treated with both 0.1% GF and ethyl alcohol‐iron mixture, in comparison to the levels in the 0,1% GF alone and the ethyl alcohol‐iron mixture alone groups. A slight elevation in the liver protoporphyrin level was noted in only one mouse of the ethyl alcohol‐iron mixture group. The remaining mice showed normal levels. From this finding, it was presumed that the administration of ethyl alcohol‐iron mixture has the potential to intensify the activity of 0.1% GF alone. An elevation of the liver coproporphyrin and protoporphyrin levels was seen in the group treated with both 0.1 % GF and estrogen, as compared to the 0.1% GF alone and the estrogen alone groups. In those treated with estrogen alone, liver porphyrin levels were within normal limits except for one mouse, which showed an increase of liver protoporphyrin. An elevation of liver coproporphyrin and protoporphyrin was seen in 8 of 12 mice treated with both PCB and 0.1% GF, while there was no change in the PCB alone group. From these findings, it was inferred that the mechanism of abnormal porphyrin metabolism due to estrogen and PCB combined with 0.1% GF differs from the mechanism of abnormality due to 0.1% GF alone. It appears that the addition of some chemicals to a 0.1% GF feed enhances the action of the 0.1% GF alone.