Concurrent bromosulphophthalein and antipyrine administration to assess liver blood flow and hepatic enzymes in rats

This study investigated the feasibility of using concurrent iv administration of antipyrine (15 mg/kg body weight) and bromosulphophthalein (BSP; 25 mg/kg) in the rat. Antipyrine is used as an index of hepatic drug metabolism and BSP is used to assess hepatic blood flow. Plasma concentrations of BSP were described using biexponential phases, while antipyrine plasma concentrations were monoexponential. No significant difference was observed between antipyrine pharmacokinetic parameters in concurrent BSP rats when compared with controls. There was also no significant difference between BSP pharmacokinetic parameters in concurrent antipyrine rats when compared with controls, except in the alpha value (P less than 0.05). This indicates that BSP distribution may be affected by concurrent antipyrine administration. Therefore, simultaneous administration of both substrates is not acceptable to study hepatic blood flow. Another iv combination dose (25 mg BSP/kg body weight, followed by 15 mg antipyrine/kg 0.5 hr later) and a dose of 15 mg antipyrine/kg body weight only was administered to rats pretreated with phenobarbital (90 mg/kg body weight) for 6 days. Pharmacokinetic parameters of BSP, beta, k21, k23 and plasma clearance, in the pretreated rats were significantly different from non-pretreated rats. No significant difference was observed in the pharmacokinetic parameters of antipyrine between the combination dose and antipyrine dose in the phenobarbital-pretreated rats. The half-lives of antipyrine in both pretreated groups decreased approximately by 70%, while the clearance increased four times compared with controls. The volume of distribution in these animals did not change as a result of phenobarbital pretreatment. This suggests that a 25 mg BSP/kg body weight dose followed by 15 mg antipyrine/kg 0.5 hr later may be a feasible approach to study liver blood flow, as well as hepatic efficiency in rats.     

Effect of Amiodarone and Desethylamiodarone on the Pharmacokinetics of Antipyrine in the Rat

The effect of amiodarone on hepatic drug metabolism in vivo was examined in the rat using antipyrine as a model substrate. Pretreatment with oral amiodarone hydrochloride, 100 mg/kg/day, for 5 days resulted in a 19% reduction in antipyrine clearance and a 22% increase in half-life. The administration of single oral doses of amiodarone hydrochloride, 100 mg/kg, 1 or 5 hr prior to antipyrine administration had no significant effect on antipyrine pharmacokinetics. The administration of a single intravenous dose of amiodarone hydrochloride, 50 mg/kg, reduced antipyrine clearance by 32% and increased the half-life by 46%. The desethyl metabolite of amiodarone was also found to reduce antipyrine clearance (21%) after a single oral dose of 100 mg/kg.     

In vivo inhibition of oxidative drug metabolism by, and acute toxicity of, 1-aminobenzotriazole (ABT). A tool for biochemical toxicology

One hour following intravenous pretreatment of rats with 50 mg/kg of the cytochrome P-450 suicide substrate 1-aminobenzotriazole (ABT), the metabolism of phenacetin to acetaminophen is inhibited completely [B. A. Mico et al., Drug Metab. Dispos. 15, 274 (1987)]. Here we report an examination of the time-course of inhibition of phenacetin elimination by ABT, a demonstration of dose-dependent inhibition of phenacetin and antipyrine clearances by ABT, and an examination of the acute toxicity of ABT in rats, as well as the effect of ABT on phenacetin metabolism in beagles. After a 1-, 12-, 24- or 36-hr pretreatment of rats with ABT (50 mg/kg, i.v.), the clearance of phenacetin was decreased 85, 88, 81 and 48%, respectively, from control values. Twelve hours after intraperitoneal pretreatment of rats with 0.3, 1.0, 5.0, 20, and 50 mg/kg of ABT, the total systemic clearance of phenacetin was suppressed 39, 47, 60, 75, and 79%, respectively, from control values. The clearance of intravenously administered antipyrine was decreased 38 and 66% after a 12-hr intraperitoneal pretreatment of rats with 10 or 50 mg/kg of ABT. In rats, no hematological, clinical chemistry, macroscopic, or microscopic abnormalities were detected 1, 2, 3, and 9 days after a single i.v. dose of ABT (50 mg/kg). A 1-hr pretreatment of beagles with ABT (20 mg/kg) decreased the clearance of intravenous phenacetin 50% and completely prevented the formation of acetaminophen. These results demonstrate that ABT pretreatment causes long-lasting inhibition of oxidative drug metabolism without disruption of normal physiological processes. Profound inhibition of oxidation in two species suggests that ABT may have general utility as an inhibitor of oxidative drug metabolism in biochemical pharmacology and toxicology studies.     

Enzyme-inducing drug combinations and their effects on liver microsomal enzyme activity in man

Summary The effect of 2 different drug combinations on liver microsomal activity was investigated in healthy volunteers by administering antipyrine 1200 mg and phenobarbitone 100 mg, or the same dose of antipyrine with rifampicin 600 mg daily for 14 days. The effect of rifampicin 1200 mg given for only 8 days was also studied. Before and after each drug regimen, estimates were made of the total body clearance of antipyrine, -glutamyl-transferase (-GT) and urinary excretion of 6--hydroxycortisol as in vivo parameters of liver microsomal enzyme activity. Following combined antipyrine and phenobarbitone administration, the antipyrine clearance was increased by 80%, after antipyrine with rifampicin by 128%, and after rifampicin alone by 104%. 6--hydroxycortisol, corrected for 17-hydroxycorticosteroids, increased from 2.6% to 8% following antipyrine plus phenobarbitone, from 4.4% to 27.9% following antipyrine plus rifampicin, and from 5.4% to 29.7% after rifampicin given alone. Based on previous studies, antipyrine given with phenobarbitone produced slightly more induction than phenobarbitone given alone. Following antipyrine 1200 mg with rifampicin 600 mg for 14 days a significantly greater increase in antipyrine clearance and 6--hydroxycortisol excretion was observed than when either drug was given alone.     

Changes in brain norepinephrine associated with sensitization to d-amphetamine

Pretreatment of B6AF₁/J mice with d-amphetamine HCl 10 mg/kg, twice daily for 5 days, produced a 4-fold increase in the running response to a test dose of 5 mg/kg amphetamine. Amphetamine pretreatment decreased whole-brain norepinephrine levels to 50% of control values and whole-brain dopamine to 85%. The test dose of 5 mg/kg amphetamine lowered whole brain norepinephrine levels of control mice from 0.50 g/g to 0.28 g/g in 2 h. In amphetamine-pretreated mice, this injection caused an increase in whole-brain norepinephrine levels from 0.22 g/g to 0.55 g/g at 30 min, followed by a decrease to 0.22 g/g at 60 min. No change in whole brain dopamine levels was observed in either group. Amphetamine sensitization and norepinephrine depletion were still evident 25 days after pretreatment. No cross sensitization to morphine or cocaine was observed. Reserpine pretreatment resulted in a 3-fold increase in locomotor activity following injection of d-amphetamine, 5 mg/kg. No sensitization or changes in catecholamine levels were observed in amphetamine-treated A/J mice. These results suggest that the sensitization produced by amphetamine pretreatment may be related to the depletion of brain norepinephrine.     

Involvement of µ-opioid receptors in the antitussive effects of pentazocine

Summary The effect of pentazocine on the capsaicininduced cough reflex in rats was investigated. Intraperitoneal injection of pentazocine, in doses from 1 to 10 mg/kg, significantly decreased the number of coughs in a dose-dependent manner. The antitussive effect of pentazocine (10 mg/kg, i.p.) was significantly reduced by prior injection of naloxone (0.3 mg/kg, i.p.), but it was unaffected by Mr-2266 BS (5 mg/kg, i.p.), an antagonist of -opioid receptors. The antinociceptive potency of pentazocine (30 mg/kg, i.p.), as determined by the formalin test, was significantly reduced by pretreatment with Mr-2266 BS (5 mg/kg, i.p.), whereas naloxane (0.3 mg/ kg, i.p.) had no significant effect on the antinociceptive effect of pentazocine. The antitussive effects of pentazocine (3 mg/kg) and morphine (0.1 mg/kg) were significantly enhanced in rats treated chronically with naloxone (5 mg/kg/day, 5 days), whereas the antitussive effect of U-50,488 H (1 mg/kg, i.p.), a selective -opioid agonist, was not enhanced in these rats. By contrast, the antinociceptive effect of morphine (0.01 mg/kg, i.p.) was significantly enhanced in rats that had been pretreated chronically with naloxone. However, the antinociceptive effects induced by pentazocine (3 mg/kg, i.p.) and U-50,488 H (1 mg/kg, i.p.) were unchanged. These results suggest that pentazocine-induced antitussive effects in rats are mediated via stimulation of µ-opioid receptors. Send offprint requests to J. Kamei at the above address     

Cimetidine-phenytoin interaction: Effect on serum phenytoin concentration and antipyrine test

Summary In a prospective study in nine patients the effects of phenytoin and of cimetidine (1000mg/day) + phenytoin on the antipyrine test and serum phenytoin concentrations were studied. Serum phenytoin increased from the steady state level of 5.7±1.3 mg/l to 9.1±1.4mg/l after three weeks on cimetidine (p<0.01), and fell to 5.8±1.2 mg/l within two weeks after withdrawal of cimetidine. The protein binding of phenytoin was not changed by cimetidine. After use of phenytoin for 2–4 months, antipyrine clearance increased from 0.67±0.06ml/min/kg to 1.61±0.22 ml/ min/kg, and antipyrine half-live fell from 10.9±1.3h to 4.5±0.6h as compared to the values before phenytoin treatment (p<0.01). After three weeks combined use of cimetidine and phenytoin, antipyrine clearance was decreased to 1.01±0.07 ml/min/kg and antipyrine half-life was prolonged to 6.1±0.5h, (p<0.01) compared to the values on phenytoin alone. The distribution volume of antipyrine was not affected by phenytoin nor by cimetidine + phenytoin. The half-life of cimetidine was 2.8±0.3h in the patients on longterm phenytoin treatment. There was a significant positive correlation (p<0.001) between the increase in serum phenytoin concentration and the prolongation of antipyrine half-life caused by cimetidine. Thus, cimetidine increases serum phenytoin concentration, very probably by inhibiting its metabolism. Care should be taken in the concomitant use of cimetidine and phenytoin, and the dose of phenytoin should be modified according to the clinical symptoms and serum phenytoin concentrations.Part of this work was presented at the Joint Meeting of the Scandinavian and German Pharmacological Societies, September 1980 [14]     

Effect of glutathione depletion on the in vivo inhibition of drug metabolism by agents forming an inactive cytochrome P-450 Fe(II):metabolite complex. Studies with amiodarone and troleandomycin

The relative contribution of competitive inhibition versus formation of a P-450:metabolite complex to the in vivo inhibition of drug metabolism for several agents is unclear. The present investigation examined the contribution of these two mechanisms to the in vivo inhibition of drug metabolism by amiodarone through manipulation of glutathione turnover. In vivo P-450-dependent metabolism in rats was assessed by determining antipyrine clearance. Pretreatment with amiodarone (50 mg/kg, iv) decreased antipyrine clearance with or without prior glutathione depletion. Depletion of glutathione by buthionine sulfoximine (1.6 g/kg, ip) did not enhance the magnitude of inhibition of antipyrine clearance by amiodarone. Moreover, administration of a normally subinhibitory dose of amiodarone after buthionine sulfoximine pretreatment did not influence antipyrine clearance. Similarly, depletion of glutathione via buthionine sulfoximine or diethylmaleate (1 mL/kg, po) did not influence the magnitude of inhibition caused by a single po dose of troleandomycin (500 or 350 mg/kg, respectively). These data indicate that glutathione content may not be a critical determinant for the in vivo inhibition of drug metabolism by agents which form a P-450:metabolite complex.     

The time-dependent stimulus effects of R(-)-2,5-dimethoxy-4-methamphetamine (DOM): implications for drug-induced stimulus control as a method for the study of hallucinogenic agents

The pharmacodynamic characteristics of the stimulus effects of the hallucinogensd-LSD and (–)DOM were investigated in the rat. The stimulus control induced by (–)DOM (0.56 mg/kg) was significantly less stable at the 15-min pretreatment time than at the 75-min pretreatment time. In addition, (–)DOM (0.8 mg/kg) produced a time-dependent substitution for the LSD stimulus in LSD trained subjects (0.1 mg/kg, 15-min pretreatment time). As pretreatment times were increased, the substitution of (–)DOM (0.8 mg/kg) for the LSD stimulus increased, culminating in a maximal level of 99.5% LSD-appropriate responding at the 75-min pre-treatment time. A dose-response relationship for the substitution of (–)DOM (75-min pretreatment time) for the LSD stimulus, indicated that 0.2 mg/kg (–)DOM was the minimum dose which elicited greater than 90% LSD-appropriate responding. LSD (0.32 mg/kg, 15-min pretreatment time) fully substituted for (–)DOM in the (–)DOM trained subjects (0.56 mg/kg, 75-min pretreatment time). These findings suggest that the pharmacodynamic parameters ofd-LSD and (–)DOM-induced stimulus control differ. The time of onset for the stimulus effects of (–)DOM is markedly longer than that of LSD in the rat.This study was supported in part by U.S. Public Health Service grant DA 03385 [J.C.W., R.A.R.], by National Research Service Award MH 10567 [D.F.], and by a fellowship from Schering-Plough Research Institute [D.F.]. Animals used in these studies were maintained in accordance with the Guide for Care and Use of Laboratory Animals of the Institute of Laboratory Animal Resources, National Research Council     

The effects of haloperidol upon temporal information processing by patients with Tourette's syndrome

In mice, apomorphine (10 mg/kg s.c.) does not induce a compulsion to gnaw, but pretreatment with antihistamines, viz. pheniramine, chlorpheniramine and mepyramine, in doses ranging from 30 to 60 mg/kg i.p. caused gnawing activity. Mepyramine showed significantly less effect when compared to the other two agents. Antihistamines are known to influence the activity of biogenic amines in central nervous system. The potentiation of apomorphine-induced gnawing by antihistamines might depend upon the reciprocal balance between dopaminergic and cholinergic systems. This was tested by blocking biosynthesis of biogenic amines or by blocking their receptors. The potentiation of gnawing was antagonised by physostigmine (0.25 mg/kg) or blocked by pretreatment with -methyl-p-tyrosine (-MPT) (4×5 mg/kg) and bis-(4-methyl-1-homopiperazinyl-thiocarbonyl)-disulphide (FLA) (40 mg/kg), while p-chlorophenyl alanine (p-CPA) (3×100 mg/kg) had no effect. Similarly, phenoxybenzamine (30 mg/kg) and haloperidol (1.0 mg/kg) inhibited gnawing activity, but methysergide (10 mg/kg) had no effect. Furthermore, pretreatment with tetrabenazine (20 mg/kg) and l-Dopa (200 mg/kg) did not affect gnawing activity. It is concluded that both pheniramine and chlorpheniramine potentiate apomorphine gnawing by upsetting the cholinergic and dopaminergic balance in favour of dopaminergic dominance.Part of this work was presented at the Sixth International Congress of Pharmacology, Helsinki, Finland, July 1975.     

Cocaine: Excitatory effects on sensorimotor reactivity measured with acoustic startle

Cocaine (2.5–10 mg/kg) caused a dose-related increase in the amplitude of the acoustic startle reflex in rats. In contrast, procaine (5–40 mg/kg) caused a dose-related decrease in startle, indicating that the effects of cocaine could not be ascribed to its local anesthetic effects. Cocaine's excitatory effects were blocked by pretreatment with haloperidol (0.5 mg/kg) but not by cyproheptadine or prazosin. The excitatory effects of cocaine (10 mg/kg) were markedly attenuated by pretreatment with reserpine (5 mg/kg 24 and 18 h earlier) but not by -methyl-p-tyrosine (100 mg/kg 1 h earlier). In contrast, comparably sized excitatory effects of d-amphetamine were blocked by -methyl-p-tyrosine and greatly enhanced by pretreatment with reserpine. Neither pretreatment blocked excitatory effects of apomorphine on startle. The data indicate that cocaine increases startle by acting through reserpine-sensitive pools of dopamine and provide further support for the conclusion that acoustic startle is enhanced by activation of dopamine receptors.     

Effect of Hydralazine on the Elimination of Antipyrine in the Rat

The concomitant administration of hydralazine with metoprolol or propranolol substantially increases the oral bioavailability of these beta-blockers, presumably via reduction of the first-pass effect. It has been suggested that this effect may be secondary to a decrease in the intrinsic clearance of propranolol, possibly by inhibition of oxidative metabolism. To examine the possibility that hydralazine alters oxidative metabolism in vivo, the effect of hydralazine on the pharmacokinetics of antipyrine was examined in the rat. The oral administration of hydralazine hydrochloride, 7.5 mg/kg, 15 min prior to antipyrine administration reduced antipyrine clearance from 9.66 ± 1.18 to 8.19 ± 0.76 ml/min/kg (P < 0.05). Hydralazine was observed to cause substantial hypothermia. The study was repeated in temperature-regulated animals and no alteration in antipyrine clearance was found. Two doses of hydralazine in temperature-regulated rats also failed to alter antipyrine clearance. Thus, it appears that the effect of hydralazine on antipyrine clearance is secondary to the hypothermic effect of hydralazine and not due to a direct inhibition of cytochrome P-450-mediated enzyme activity.     

甘草酸对小鼠安替比林及醋氨酚代谢的影响

目的研究甘草酸是否诱导小鼠肝细胞增殖及其对安替比林和醋氨酚代谢的影响。方法给小鼠甘草酸５０ｍｇ·ｋｇ－１或等量注射用水灌胃７ｄ后，比较两者间安替比林和醋氨酚有关药代动力学参数及肝ＤＮＡ含量和肝／体重比的差异。结果与对照组相比，甘草酸组小鼠安替比林Ｔ１２缩短４５３％，ＣＬ增加４３６％（Ｐ＜００５）；醋氨酚Ｔ１２延长５４６％，ＣＬ降低２９３％（Ｐ＜００５），尿液葡萄糖醛酸 醋氨酚含量减少１１８％（Ｐ＜００５）；肝ＤＮＡ含量及肝／体重比无明显改变。结论甘草酸能诱导小鼠安替比林代谢，抑制醋氨酚代谢，对肝细胞增殖无影响     

Influence of allylisopropylacetamide and phenobarbital treatment on in vivo antipyrine metabolite formation in rats

1. The influence of pretreatment with allylisopropylacetamide (AIA) and phenobarbital (PB) on the pharmacokinetics and metabolite profile of antipyrine was studied in rats in vivo. Antipyrine concentrations were measured in blood and urine, and four metabolites (4-hydroxyantipyrine, norantipyrine, 3-hydroxymethylantipyrine and 4,4′-dihydroxyantipy-rine) were determined in urine.

2. Treatment with PB increased antipyrine blood clearance from 11.1 to 59.1 ml/min per kg. The clearances for production of metabolites all increased between four- and five-fold, indicating non-selective induction.

3. Treatment with AIA resulted in a reduction of antipyrine clearance to 5.6 ml/min per kg. The clearances to all four metabolites were decreased to about the same extent (52–65% of control values) indicating non-selective inhibition.

4. Treatment with AIA after PB treatment strongly inhibited drug-metabolizing enzyme activity. Blood clearance of antipyrine was reduced from 59.1 to 12.3 ml/min per kg. Clearances to the metabolites were again inhibited non-selectively (to 20–28% of PB-induced values).

5. In contrast to previous reports, AIA in this study inhibited non-induced oxidative microsomal enzyme activity. This inhibition closely resembled AIA inhibition of PB-induced cytochromes. Therefore it is concluded that in untreated rats antipyrine is predominantly metabolized by PB-types of cytochrome P-450.     

Effects of chlorpromazine on the disposition and beta-adrenergic blocking activity of propranolol in the dog

The effects of chlorpromazine (100mg p.o., 2hr before propranolol) on the disposition and beta-adrenergic blocking actions of both intravenous (6 mg) and oral (40 mg) propranolol were studied in the dog. Chlorpromazine pretreatment significantly reduced (69%) the oral clearance of propranolol, resulting in significant increases in propranolol bioavailability (159%), and in the total beta-adrenergic blocking activity (111%) after the oral dose. The increase in the total beta-adrenergic blocking activity of oral propranolol after chlorpromazine pretreatment was mostly due to an increased contribution from the parent compound; the apparent activity from active propranolol metabolites was not affected by chlorpromazine. Chlorpromazine pretreatment had no significant influence on the systemic clearance, elimination half-life, apparent volume of distribution, and plasma binding of propranolol, or on the apparent hepatic blood flow. After intravenous propranolol, chlorpromazine pretreatment had no effect on either the total amount of beta-adrenergic blocking activity or the amount of activity attributable to active metabolites. The decreased oral propranolol clearance by chlorpromazine was seen as a shift to the left in the propranolol dose vs. AUCrelationship, eliminating the apparent nonlinear kinetic behavior of oral propranolol, and reducing the apparent oral threshold dose. Chlorpromazine's major, if not only, effect on propranolol disposition was to reduce the presystemic elimination of propranolol, possibly through inhibition of its metabolism via a pathway other than ring oxidation.This work was supported by a US Public Health Grant No. HL-22718.     

Effect of Meropenem on Disposition Kinetics of Valproate and Its Metabolites in Rabbits

Purpose. We investigated the effect of meropenem (MEPM) on the disposition kinetics of valproate (VPA) and its metabolites in rabbits. Methods. Rabbits were given 75 mg/kg VPA intravenously with or without 300 mg/kg MEPM. Results. The plamsa total clearance of VPA was significantly increased to about 1.5 times the control (6.09 mL/min/kg vs. 4.28 mL/min/kg) by MEPM (P < 0.05). The values of the area under the plasma concentration-time curve (AUC) of 2-en-VPA, a product of -oxidation, and VPA-glucuronide (VPA-G) were significantly decreased to about 55% and 78% of the control, respectively (P < 0.05). The cumulative urinary excretions of VPA in the control and MEPM-treated groups were 0.54% and 0.62% of the dose, respectively, whereas those of VPA-G were 45.6% and 62.5%, respectively. The urinary excretion of VPA-G was significantly increased by MEPM (P < 0.05). Further, in the case of 33.8 mg/kg VPA-G administered intravenously the AUC value of VPA-G was unchanged by MEPM, whereas that of the generated VPA was significantly decreased to about half of the control. Conclusions. The increase of the total clearance of VPA caused by MEPM appears to be a consequence of increased renal clearance of VPA-G, as well as suppression of VPA-G hydrolysis in the liver.     

Changes in the inducibility of a hepatic aldehyde dehydrogenase by various effectors

A hepatic soluble aldehyde dehydrogenase (ALDH), inducible by polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, was studied in Wistar rats in connection with substances known to affect drug metabolism or aldehyde dehydrogenase activity, such as phenobarbital (PB), disulfiram (DS), -diethylaminoethyl diphenylpropylacetate (SKF 525A) and calcium cyanamide (CC). 3-Methylcholanthrene (MC) was given as a model inducer of ALDH (100 mg/kg, i.p., as a single dose) and the animals were killed after 3 days. Pretreatment with PB (1 g/l drinking water, for 2 weeks) enhanced the inducing effect of MC. On the contrary, pretreatment with DS (100 mg/kg, i.p., daily x4) reduced by 70% the expected increase in ALDH activity. Neither SKF 525A (25 mg/kg, i.p., daily x4), nor CC (5 mg/kg, i.p., daily x4) could affect the action of the inducer. At the above doses, basal ALDH activity was inhibited by DS (30%) and CC (70%), but was not affected at all by PB or SKF 525A. The results were somewhat different when the various effectors tested were administered to animals already treated with MC (20 mg/kg, i.p., daily x6). In this case, DS did not affect the already induced ALDH activity. On the contrary, CC was still an effective inhibitor. Unexpectedly, post-treatment with SKF 525A further enhanced the initial induction brought about by MC. Our findings show that substances affecting microsomal drug metabolism can interfere with the process of ALDH induction by MC. The additive result of PB pretreatment is probably due to the enhanced accumulation of an active metabolite of MC. The opposite effect of DS on drug metabolism could explain the decreased ability of MC to induce ALDH activity. The MC-inducible ALDH isozyme can be effectively inhibited with CC, but not with DS.     

Measurement of urinary 6-β-hydroxycortisol excretion as an in vivo parameter in the clinical assessment of the microsomal enzyme-inducing capacity of antipyrine,phenobarbitone and rifampicin

Summary To assess the rate of drug metabolism in man, four different in vivo measurements of microsomal enzyme activity were compared before and after the administration of three drugs known to be enzyme inducers in man: antipyrine, phenobarbitone and rifampicin. 27 healthy volunteers, divided into four different groups, were given antipyrine 1000 mg or 1200 mg, phenobarbitone 100 mg and rifampicin 600 mg or 1200 mg daily for 14 days. Before and after each drug, estimates were made of total body clearance of antipyrine, -glutamyl-transpeptidase in plasma and d-glucaric acid, 6--hydroxycortisol and 17-hydroxycorticosteroid urinary excretion in 24 h, as parameters of hepatic microsomal enzyme activity. Following treatment with antipyrine, phenobarbitone or rifampicin 600 mg daily, the total body clearance of antipyrine increased by 44–60%, and after rifampicin 1200 mg there was an increase up to 125%. d-Glucaric acid excretion in urine showed a tendency to increase to the same extent in every group investigated, and -glutamyl-transpeptidase increased similarly following antipyrine and phenobarbitone, although it remained unchanged following rifampicin administration. Urinary excretion of 6--hydroxycortisol, corrected by the 17-hydroxycorticosteroids representing the percentage proportion of 6--hydroxycortisol of the total amount of 17-hydroxycorticosteroids excreted, increased from 4.6–5.2% up to 9.5–28.3% depending upon the drug given. Comparing all in vivo parameters of hepatic microsomal enzyme activity by means of linear regression, a significant correlation was found between total body clearance of antipyrine and urinary excretion of 6--hydroxycortisol, while none of the other parameters showed any significant correlation. In addition, a better seperation of the enzyme-inducing capacity of different drugs was seen using 6--hydroxycortisol as a parameter of microsomal enzyme activity. Therefore, measurement of 6--hydroxycortisol corrected by the 17-hydroxycorticosteroid excretion, combined with estimation of the total body clearance of antipyrine, gives a valuable index, suitable for use in further studies of induction in man.     

Improvement of phase I drug metabolism with Schisandra chinensis against CCl4 hepatotoxicity in a rat model

The seed extract of Schisandra chinensis was investigated in the rat for its restorative or therapeutic effect on Phase I hepatic drug metabolism following intoxication by carbon tetrachloride (CCl4). Male Sprague Dawley rats (220-250 g) were divided into two sets, one included rats with or without CCl4 intoxication, the other included CCl4 intoxicated rats with or without treatment of Schisandra extract. With the treatment regimen, rats received four oral doses of Schisandra (160 mg/kg) or the same volume of water at 8, 24, 32 and 48 h after CCl4 intoxication. A single oral dose (80 mg/kg) of antipyrine, a conventional probe for oxidative drug metabolism, was then administered. The levels of liver serum transaminases and cytochrome P450 were measured and the pharmacokinetics of antipyrine were assessed using a non-compartmental approach via WinNonlin. In comparison to the rats without CCl4 intoxication (t1/2: 2.2 +/- 0.9 h; Cl/F: 0.30 +/- 0.01 L/h/Kg; P450: 0.611 +/- 0.190 nmol/mg protein), CCl4 administration significantly decreased elimination (t1/2: 12.0 +/- 3.9 h) and oral clearance (Cl/F: 0.049 +/- 0.018 L/h/kg) of antipyrine, and markedly reduced the content of P450 (0.075 +/- 0.011 nmol/mg protein). Data obtained from intoxicated animals treated by Schisandra extract, compared to those without treatment, showed significant (p < 0.05) improvement in the t1/2 (4.45 +/- 1.7 h) and Cl/F (0.096 +/- 0.018 ml/h) estimates of antipyrine and a 2-3 fold increase in P450 level (0.190 +/- 0.072 nmol/mg protein). Findings in this study suggest that the seed extract of Schisandra appeared to be a promising agent for the improvement of Phase I oxidative metabolism in the liver damaged by CCl4.     

Factors affecting the response to inhibition of drug metabolism by cimetidine--dose response and sensitivity of elderly and induced subjects

The effect of cimetidine on oxidative drug metabolism was characterised using antipyrine clearance in a group of healthy volunteers. In six subjects cimetidine produced a dose dependent reduction of antipyrine clearance: 400 mg/day (16.8 +/- 2.2%, mean +/- s.e. mean), 800 mg/day (26.3 +/- 1.5%) and 1600 mg/day (33.5 +/- 2.4%). The effect of cimetidine (800 mg/day) was of similar magnitude (approximately 25%) in two groups of six young (21-26 years) and six elderly (65-78 years) subjects. The effect of pretreatment begun just 1 h before administration of antipyrine was similar to that of 24 h pretreatment and that reported for chronic cimetidine pretreatment. The percentage reduction in antipyrine clearance produced by cimetidine 800 mg/day was greater (44 +/- 5 vs 24 +/- 3%; P less than 0.05) in six subjects who had been pretreated with the hepatic enzyme inducer rifampicin (600 mg/day for 21 days) than in the control uninduced state. Although cimetidine was capable of rapidly reversing the effect of rifampicin on antipyrine clearance, following withdrawal of both rifampicin and cimetidine there was still evidence of enzyme induction. These results suggest that the effect of cimetidine on oxidative metabolism is dose dependent, is more marked in enzyme induced subjects, is independent of the duration of pretreatment and is of similar magnitude in young and elderly subjects.