Diethyl ether influence on the metabolism of antipyrine, paracetamol and sulphanilamide in isolated rat hepatocytes.

Drug metabolism was studied in suspensions of isolated rat liver parenchymal cells. The influence of diethyl ether 2.5-30 mmol litre-1 on metabolism of antipyrine, paracetamol and sulphanilamide was studied. A dose-related ether inhibition of antipyrine and paracetamol metabolism was found. Fifty per cent inhibition of antipyrine metabolism occurred at ether concentrations between 2.5 and 5 mmol litre-1 while 50% inhibition of paracetamol metabolism was found at greater ether concentrations (20-30 mmol litre-1). No ether inhibition of sulphanilamide metabolism was demonstrated. It is concluded that different degrees of ether interaction have to be considered for the various hepatic pathways of drug metabolism.