Plasma Hydroxy Metronidazole/metronidazole Ratio in Anti-HCV Carriers with and Without Apparent Liver Disease

Overview

Journal Br J Clin Pharmacol

Specialty Pharmacology

Date 1998 Sep 2

PMID 9723829

Authors

C M da Silva

F L David

M N Muscara

S S Sousa

J G Ferraz

G De Nucci

N C Polimeno

J Pedrazzoli Jr

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

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.

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