Glycoprotein metabolism in the guinea-pig gastric mucosa in chronic metribuzin poisoning.

Abstract

Forty male guinea pigs weighting 400--600 g, 8 months old, were given metribuzin directly into the gastric lumen over a period of 30 days (20 animals) or 90 days (20 animals), 6 times a week. The intoxicated animals showed in the gastric mucosa a significant decrease in glucosamine isomerase activity and a significant increased in beta-glucosidase and beta-galactosidase activity. The results suggest that the biosynthesis of the sugar moiety of glycoproteins is depressed, the degradation of glycoproteins is stimulated by metribuzin.