1. The presence of arylhydrocarbon hydroxylase (cytochrome P-450 IA1 dependent), glutathione S-transferase, two distinct forms of epoxide hydrolases and UDP-glucuronosyltransferases was detected in H5-6 hepatoma cell homogenates using model substrates, selective inhibitors and specific antibodies. 2. The activity of arylhydrocarbon hydroxylase decreased strongly at the first days after plating and remained at a minimal value (1.5 pmol/min per mg) after 5 days of culture. 3. The hydratation of trans-stilbene oxide catalyzed by the soluble form of epoxide hydrolase was very low (11.0 pmol/min per mg), whereas the hepatoma cells contained appreciable amounts of the membrane-bound epoxide hydrolase and glutathione S-transferase measured with cis-stilbene oxide as substrate (maximal specific activity: 1.46 and 2.73 nmol/min per mg, respectively). 4. These cells also glucuronidated 1-naphthol efficiently (6 nmol/min per mg) and, at a lower extent, bilirubin (12 pmol/min per mg). 5. Addition of fenofibrate (70 microM) into the culture medium for 1-3 days failed to significantly stimulate the activity of cytosolic epoxide hydrolase. Only bilirubin glucuronidation increased 2-fold after 2 days of presence of the drug.