Intestinal metabolism of phenacetin in the rat: effect of charcoal-broiled beef and rat chow.

The intestinal metabolism of phenacetin in vitro was increased 1100 percent in rats fed charcoal-broiled ground beef in a semisynthetic diet. The intestinal metabolism of phenacetin was increased 200 percent in rats fed a chow diet, as compared to rats fed the semisynthetic diet. The results obtained suggest a need for studies in man to determine whether charcoal-broiled meat and other dietary constituents can stimulate the intestinal metabolism of phenacetin or other drugs and thereby decrease their absorption and bioavailability.