The pharmacokinetics of M1-M4, the metabolites of a new anthracycline antineoplastic agent, DA-125, were compared after intravenous (i.v.) administration of DA-125, 15 mg kg-1, to rats pretreated with enzyme inducers, such as phenobarbital (PBT, n = 14) and 3-methylcholanthrene (MCT, n = 15), or enzyme inhibitors, such as SKF-525A (SKT, n = 11) and chloramphenicol (CMT, n = 15), and to their control rats (n = 15 for PBC, CMC or SKC, and n = 11 for MCC). After i.v. administration of DA-125, the plasma concentrations of both M1 and M2 declined slowly from 1 to 2 h onwards to 8 h in all groups of rats due to the continuous formation of M2 from M1. The AUC0-8 h of M1 (47.1 versus 7.85 micrograms min mL-1) and M2 (20.7 versus 44.3 micrograms min mL-1) decreased significantly in the PBT group compared to those in the PBC group. However, the corresponding value of only M1 (74.6 versus 89.9 micrograms min mL-1) decreased significantly in the MCT group. The above data indicate that metabolism of M1 is increased by pretreatment with both PB and 3-MC, and that of M2 with PB, but not with 3-MC. The AUC0-8 h of both M1 (126 versus 78.5 micrograms min mL-1) and M2 (69.2 versus 44.3 micrograms min mL-1) increased significantly in the SKT group compared to the SKC group. However, the corresponding values were not significantly different between CMC and CMT groups. The above data indicate that the metabolism of both M1 and M2 is inhibited by pretreatment with SKF-525A, but not with CM.