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Plasma hydroxy metronidazole/metronidazole ratio in anti‐HCV carriers with and without apparent liver disease
Author(s) -
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.
Publication year - 1998
Publication title -
british journal of clinical pharmacology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.216
H-Index - 146
eISSN - 1365-2125
pISSN - 0306-5251
DOI - 10.1046/j.1365-2125.1998.00758.x
Subject(s) - metronidazole , medicine , liver disease , cirrhosis , gastroenterology , liver function , liver function tests , asymptomatic , chronic liver disease , hepatitis c virus , hepatitis c , immunology , antibiotics , chemistry , biochemistry , virus
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.