Plasma hydroxy metronidazole/metronidazole ratio in anti‐HCV carriers with and without apparent liver disease

Aims  To evaluate plasma hydroxy‐metronidazole/metronidazole ratio as a dynamic liver function test in HCV‐infected individuals with/without liver disease, in the absence of liver cirrhosis. Methods  Metronidazole was administered intravenously in healthy volunteers, asymptomatic anti‐HCV‐positive b...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:British journal of clinical pharmacology 1998-08, Vol.46 (2), p.176-180
Main Authors: Da Silva, C. M. F., David, F. L., Muscará, M. N., Sousa, S. S., Ferraz, J. G. P., De Nucci, G., Polimeno, N. C., Pedrazzoli Jr, J.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Adult
Biological and medical sciences
blood donors
cytochrome P450
Female
Hepacivirus - immunology
hepatitis C
Hepatitis C - blood
Hepatitis C - diagnosis
Hepatitis C - immunology
Human viral diseases
Humans
Infectious diseases
Liver - metabolism
liver function
Liver Function Tests
Male
Medical sciences
Metronidazole - blood
Metronidazole - metabolism
metronidazole clearance
Middle Aged
Original
Viral diseases
Viral hepatitis
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Summary:Aims  To evaluate plasma hydroxy‐metronidazole/metronidazole ratio as a dynamic liver function test in HCV‐infected individuals with/without liver disease, in the absence of liver cirrhosis. Methods  Metronidazole was administered intravenously in healthy volunteers, asymptomatic anti‐HCV‐positive blood donors, and in chronic hepatitis C patients. Serology to HCV was determined by a second generation assay and confirmed by gelatin particle agglutination test using recombinant antigens C22‐3 and C200. Plasma concentration of metronidazole and hydroxy‐metronidazole was measured by high performance liquid chromatography in samples collected 5, 10, 20 and 30 min following the end of metronidazole infusion. Results  Chronic hepatitis C patients had abnormal liver enzymes, while healthy volunteers and anti‐HCV‐positive blood donors had normal liver biochemistry tests. Plasma metronidazole concentration was similar in all groups studied. Plasma hydroxy‐metronidazole/metronidazole ratio was significantly reduced in HCV‐infected subjects, an effect observed 10 min after the end of drug infusion. Conclusions  Metronidazole clearance is impaired in anti‐HCV‐positive blood donors and chronic hepatitis C patients, indicating that HCV is capable of affecting liver function at early stages of the disease. The metronidazole clearance test can detect impaired liver function in HCV‐infected individuals even in the absence of liver cirrhosis.
ISSN:0306-5251
1365-2125
DOI:10.1046/j.1365-2125.1998.00758.x