The effect of naftidrofuryl ('Praxilene') on hepatic microsomal enzymes.
A double-blind, placebo-controlled trial was carried out in 32 male patients to assess the effect of naftidrofuryl (40 mg i.m. 3-times for 6 days) on their serum gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase (GGT) levels. This enzyme is one of the hepatic microsomal enzymes and is now considered to be a reliable biochemical marker of enzyme induction. Measurements of serum GGT before and after treatment showed that there was no significant difference in levels between the two groups of patients. The results showed that naftidrofuryl did not increase serum GGT levels, in fact the mean post-treatment levels (36.06 +/- 10.63 I.U./l) were found to be lower than those before treatment (60.59 +/- 28.37 I.U./l). It is concluded, therefore, that naftidrofuryl may not induce hepatic microsomal enzymes and that interference with rates of metabolism, via enzyme induction, of other drugs used concurrently need not be anticipated.
D000328:Adult; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D004790:Enzyme Induction; D005663:Furans / Q000494:pharmacology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008862:Microsomes, Liver / Q000201:enzymology*; D008875:Middle Aged; D009257:Nafronyl / Q000494:pharmacology*; D005723:gamma-Glutamyltransferase / Q000096:biosynthesis*
D005663:Furans; D009257:Nafronyl; D005723:gamma-Glutamyltransferase