The influence of triiodothyronine (T3) and inducers on hepatic drug metabolism in rats of different ages.

: After a 3-day treatment with T3 the ethylmorphine N-demethylation rate was diminished in 10- to 60-day-old rats, whereas the ethoxycoumarin O-deethylation rate was distinctly enhanced in some age-groups, particularly in 33-day-old rats. P-450 concentration was decreased in young rats and not changed in 60-day-old ones. Phenobarbital administration enhanced the rate of both reactions and P-450 concentration in all age-groups. This treatment significantly attenuated the T3 effects on P-450 concentration and ethylmorphine N-demethylation. beta-Naphthoflavone induced ethoxycoumarin O-deethylation and P-450 concentration in all age-groups. Compared with non-induced animals, the T3 effects on ethoxycoumarin O-deethylation (increase) and ethylmorphine N-demethylation (decrease) were more distinct, whereas P-450 concentration was scarcely influenced by T3. Age-differences in T3 actions were generally diminished by inducers.