Pharmacokinetics of acemetacin and its active metabolite indomethacin in rats during acute hepatic damage and liver regeneration
Journal Title: Annals of Hepatology - Year 2009, Vol 8, Issue 2
Abstract
Background and aim: The pharmacokinetics of acemetacin, a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug which is biotransformed to indomethacin by hepatic first-pass effect, was examined during the necrotic and regeneration phases resulting from acute hepatitis induced by carbon tetrachloride (CCl4). Material and methods: Acute hepatitis was induced by oral CCl4 administration to male Wistar rats. On days 0, 1 and 3 after the insult, liver histological analysis was performed, biochemical markers of liver damage and regeneration were measured, and the pharmacokinetics of oral acemetacin and of its active metabolite, indomethacin, were determined. Results: One day after CCl4 administration, liver necrosis was apparent and there was an increase in the circulating levels of indicators of liver damage and regeneration with regard to control conditions. Acemetacin bioavailability was increased, although not in a statistically significant manner. On the other hand, indomethacin bioavailability was significantly reduced. By day 3, histological analysis revealed liver recovery, although not complete, while biochemical indicators of hepatic damage had reverted either totally or partially. Markers of liver regeneration were still increased. Bioavailability acemetacin and indomethacin was comparable to control values. In conclusion: Indomethacin bioavailability after oral administration of its precursor, acemetacin, is significantly reduced by acute hepatitis produced by CCl4. Pharmacokinetic alterations, as liver damage, are reversible, but do not require complete liver regeneration to return to basal conditions.
Authors and Affiliations
Aracely Chávez-Piña, Liliana Favari, Gilberto Castañeda-Hernández
Liver-specific case fatality due to chronic hepatitis C virus infection: a systematic review
Despite reports that mortality is increasing, overall case fatality due to hepatitis C virus (HCV) is thought to be low. Given the variability in published rates, we aimed to synthesize estimates of liver-specific case f...
Glycogenic hepatopathy associated with type 1 diabetes mellitus as a cause of recurrent liver damage
Aminotransferase elevation is a frequent cause of consultation for the Hepatologist, in both the outpatient and inpatient settings, but identifying the origin of these biochemical alterations may be challenging. Here we...
Hepatocellular Carcinoma: Pay Now or Pay More Later
-
Unexpected discovery of massive liver echinococcosis. A clinical, morphological, and functional diagnosis
We report a case of symptomatic massive liver echinococcosis due to Echinococcus granulosus, unexpectedly found in a 34 year old woman living in Apulia, Italy. Based on size (max diameter 18 cm), clinical presentation, g...
Ongoing alcohol consumptions counteracts the benefits of sustained virological response in patients with well compensated hepatitis C cirrhosis: an observational study