Title:Hepatic Flavin-containing Monooxygenase and Aldehyde Oxidase Activities in Male Domestic Pigs at Different Ages
VOLUME: 12 ISSUE: 2
Author(s):Steven X. Hu*
Affiliation:Veterinary Medicine Research and Development, Zoetis, Inc., 333 Portage Street, Kalamazoo, MI 49007
Keywords:Flavin-containing monooxygenase, aldehyde oxidase, pig, liver microsomes, liver cytosol, age.
Abstract:Background: Age has a significant impact on activities of hepatic metabolizing enzymes in
humans and animals. Flavin-containing Monooxygenase (FMO) and Aldehyde Oxidase (AO) are two
important hepatic enzymes. Understanding of the impact of age on these two enzymes is still limited in
pigs.
Objective: The aim of this work was to assess hepatic FMO and AO activities of male domestic pigs at
five different ages of 1 day, 2, 5, 10 and 20 weeks.
Methods: Porcine liver microsomes and cytosol were prepared from the livers of male domestic pigs at
ages of 1 day, 2, 5, 10 and 20 weeks. FMO activity was assessed using N-oxidation of benzydamine in
porcine liver microsomes and AO activity was evaluated using oxidation of O6-benzylguanine in the
porcine liver cytosol.
Results: Porcine hepatic FMO activity was substantial at the age of 1 day, rapidly increased in 2 weeks,
and remained high afterwards. Porcine hepatic AO activity was minimal at the age of 1 day and gradually
increased to the maximum in 5 weeks and remained relatively constant to the age of 20 weeks.
Porcine hepatic FMO activity is higher than other species, including humans. Age-dependent FMO developmental
pattern in porcine liver is different from porcine hepatic CYP450 and human hepatic
FMO. Porcine hepatic AO activity is much lower than humans although their developmental patterns
are similar.
Conclusion: Age impact on hepatic activities of both FMO and AO is obvious in domestic male pigs
although age patterns of both enzymes are different.
