title: [15N]methacetin urine test: a method to study the development of hepatic detoxification capacity.
abstract: The [15N]methacetin urine test was used to study human O-demethylase activities to characterize the maturation of hepatic detoxification capacity. The study involved 43 healthy subjects aged 1 day-47 years. The urinary 15N elimination rates were measured following oral administrations of an aqueous [15N]methacetin solution. Age-dependent normal values of hepatic drug elimination capacity were established. Parameters were the 15N elimination half-life and cumulative elimination of the 15N dose as a percentage over a 9 h period. The maximum elimination rate (% dose/h) and peak time can give additional information. The 15N method is a simple, non-invasive and non-radioactive liver function test avoiding disadvantages of 14C and 13C breath tests. The [15N]methacetin test is suitable and useful in studying the hepatic development at birth and pathological changes of the microsomal detoxification capacity in early childhood.
authors.affiliation: Central Institute of Isotope and Radiation Research, Academy of Sciences of the GDR, Leipzig.
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Krumbiegel
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Teichmann
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Boehm
mesh_terms: D000081:Acetamides / Q000378:metabolism / Q000652:urine*; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008099:Liver / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology*; D008111:Liver Function Tests; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009587:Nitrogen Isotopes; D012016:Reference Values; D013997:Time Factors
chemical_list: D000081:Acetamides; D009587:Nitrogen Isotopes; C035495:methacetin