In vivo inhibition of ß‐glucuronidase of mouse small intestinal contents by poly(vinylbenzyl D‐glucaro‐1,4‐lactonate)

Abstract

A variety of methodological approaches were employed to asses the capacity of poly(vlnylbenzyl D‐glucaro‐1,4‐lactonate) to Inhibit Intestinal and liver ß‐glucuronidase activity in male B6C3F1 mice. These approaches revealed that when the polymer‐Inhibitor was mixed Into normal food. Into gelatin, or Into peanut butter the food became Impalatable to the mice. Also, gavage techniques using corn oil as the vehicle produced an Inadequate suspension which affected ease, effeclency, and accuracy of treatment. Another approach used emulphor as the vehicle for orally administering the polymer‐inhibitor complex. Preliminary findings revealed that orally administered polymer‐inhibitor complex significantly (P<0.005) Inhibited ß‐glucuronidase activity in the intestinal contents in a dose‐dependent manner. Other experiments indicated that liver ß‐glucuronidase was not affected by treatment, thereby suggesting that it was not absorbed in sufficient quantities to affect liver enzyme activity.

Key words:

• ß‐glucuronidase
• enterohepatic circulation
• glucuronidation
• Intestinal microflora