β-Glucuronidase and cell proliferation

After repeated feeding of menthol to mice, Fishman (1940) obtained results which, on statistical examination, showed an increase in fi-glucuronidase activity in liver, spleen and kidney, as compared with organs from untreated ils. Similar results were obtained in dogs fed with borneol. Glucuronidase in uterus and other sex organs was unaffected by menthol, and borneol. In Fishman's own inter- pretation of these important experiments, ,B-glucu- ronidase is assumed to be responsible for glucuronide synthesis in the body. A synthetic role for the enzyme has, however, still to be demonstrated, its physical properties and distribution in the body having been studied solely by means of its hydrolytic action on-conjugated glucuronides. Since