Phenobarbital (PB) is a classical inducer of drug metabolizing enzymes and known to stimulate liver growth transiently in rodents. Previous studies have shown that regenerative liver growth after a partial hepatectomy is accompanied by the induction of the amino acid transport system A. In the present study we investigated whether amino acid transport is also increased by treatment of rats with PB. Na(+) -dependent hepatic uptake of the non-metabolizable amino acid 2-aminoisobutyric acid (AIB), which proceeds largely via transport system A, was studied in isolated hepatocytes from PB treated and untreated rats. Uptake of AIB (100 microM) was maximally induced (2.5-fold) 8 h after the beginning of PB treatment. Within 4 days, transport rates decreased to values similar to those determined in hepatocytes from untreated animals, despite the continuation of PB treatment. In contrast, induction of the PB-inducible cytochromes P450 2B1/2 was markedly increased during the entire experiment, as determined with the isoenzyme-selective substrate pentoxyresorufin. Kinetic analysis of AIB uptake revealed a "high" and a "low" affinity transport system. It is most likely that the high affinity system represents amino acid transport system A. Treatment with PB increased the V(max) value but did not affect the apparent Km value of the high affinity system. The present data suggest that the hepatic mitogen PB transiently induces amino acid transport system A.