Effect of rifampin, phenobarbital pretreatment, and acetylator phenotype on acetylisoniazid metabolism in the rabbit.

The metabolism of [14C]acetylisoniazid was studied in male New Zealand White rabbits. Pretreatment of the rabbits with the microsomal enzyme inducers rifampin and phenobarbital had little effect on acetylisoniazid metabolism. Rifampin appears to produce some inhibition of acetylation of the metabolite acetylhydrazine to diacetylhydrazine. Acetylation phenotype was an important factor. Covalent binding of 14C to hepatic protein increased as the acetylation rate decreased. In plasma and urine acetylhydrazine levels were negatively correlated with acetylation rate and diacetylhydrazine levels were positively correlated as one would expect. It was concluded that in the rabbit covalent binding to hepatic protein was more dependent on the acetylation rate than on induction of microsomal oxidase.