Drug metabolism in malnourished children: a study with antipyrine.
The effect of malnutrition on hepatic drug-metabolising enzymes was investigated in 8 Sudanese children aged between 9 and 12.5 years using as a model the drug antipyrine. Antipyrine half-life and clearance were measured in the malnourished state and after 3 or 4 weeks of good nutrition. Associated with the improvement in nutritional state was a shortening of antipyrine half-life and an increase in its clearance. There was also a rise in serum triiodothyronine. It is concluded that poor nutrition is associated with impairment of drug metabolic capacity and that many factors are responsible.
D000983:Antipyrine / Q000378:metabolism*; D002648:Child; D005260:Female; D006207:Half-Life; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008657:Metabolic Clearance Rate; D011502:Protein-Energy Malnutrition / Q000178:diet therapy / Q000378:metabolism*; D013997:Time Factors
D000983:Antipyrine