Role of β-carotene on the changes in activity patterns and levels of biotransforming enzymes in transplantable murine lymphoma

The differential levels of induction of hepatic microsomal cytochrome P-450 (cyt. P-450), UDP-glucuronyl transferase (UDPGT) and cytosolic glutathione-S-transferase (GST) activities were evaluated over various periods of time, following tumor transplantation in male Swiss albino mice in the presence and absence of β-carotene supplementation in their basal diet (100 mg/kg). An increase in the total hepatic microsomal cytochrome P-450 and UDP-glucuronyl transferase and cytosolic GSH-transferase activities (1.5 to 2 fold) occurred during the later stage of tumor progression (22 ± 2 days onwards). However, β-carotene supplementation throughout the study increased or decreased the random activity trends of the above markers significantly (P < 0.05−< 0.01). Finally, β-carotene supplementation could enhance the survival of the host bearing lymphoma by almost 2-fold (50–60 days) over and above the lymphoma controls (30–35 days).