Effect of pregnenolone-16alpha-carbonitrile on the rat liver.

In female rats, pregnenolone-16alpha-carbonitrile [PCN (a known microsomal enzyme inducer)] augmented liver weight and significantly increased hepatic protein, total lipid, phospholipid and ATP concentrations. These changes were correlated with hepatic drug-metabolizing enzyme induction. PCN did not alter body weight, or water, ash, triglyceride and cholesterol levels in the liver, but caused a mild reduction of hepatic glycogen.