The Effect of Phenobarbital on the Turnover of Microsomal Phospholipid in Male and Female Rats

SUMMARY The administration of phenobarbital to rats causes an increase in hepatic microsomal phospholipid. After a tracer dose of 3*P04 the specific activities of hepatic phospholipid phosphorus and inorganic phosphate were higher in treated male rats than in controls. No increases were seen in either pool in treated females. These data suggest that phenobarbital enhances synthesis of microsomal phospholipid in male rats but not in females. In addition, phenobarbital reduces the catabolism of microsomal phospholipid in both male and female rats.