Disposition of chloramphenicol in young rhesus monkeys with protein-energy malnutrition.

The disposition of chloramphenicol was studied in young rhesus monkeys at three levels of nutrition: control, protein-energy deficiency, and following nutritional rehabilitation. During the malnutrition phase, the plasma elimination half-life was prolonged and the plasma clearance was reduced. Simultaneously there was a decrease in the activity of chloramphenicol-specific UDP-glucuronyl transferase. These changes were reversible following nutritional rehabilitation.