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.
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 Cpatients. 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 Cpatients 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 Cpatients, 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.
Authors: J Loeper; V Descatoire; M Maurice; P Beaune; J Belghiti; D Houssin; F Ballet; G Feldmann; F P Guengerich; D Pessayre Journal: Gastroenterology Date: 1993-01 Impact factor: 22.682
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Authors: Z Abdel-Razzak; P Loyer; A Fautrel; J C Gautier; L Corcos; B Turlin; P Beaune; A Guillouzo Journal: Mol Pharmacol Date: 1993-10 Impact factor: 4.436
Authors: M J Alter; H S Margolis; K Krawczynski; F N Judson; A Mares; W J Alexander; P Y Hu; J K Miller; M A Gerber; R E Sampliner Journal: N Engl J Med Date: 1992-12-31 Impact factor: 91.245
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