EFFECTS OF EXPERIMENTAL DICROCOELIOSIS ON OXIDATIVE DRUG-METABOLISM IN HAMSTER LIVER

The purpose of this investigation was to determine the effects of expe rimental dicrocoeliosis on the hepatic oxidative drug-metabolizing sys tem in hamsters. Studies were carried out 80 and 120 days after infest ation with an oral dose of 40 metacercariae of Dicrocoelium dendriticu m. The parasitic pathology was ascertained by detection of the fluke e ggs in faeces, increased serum alanine aminotransferase and aspartate amino transferase activities, and postmortem and histological findings . Cytochrome P-450 concentration, aniline hydroxylase activity and eth oxycoumarin O-deethylase activity were significantly decreased in both groups of infected animals. Aminopyrine N-demethylase activity and er ythromycin N-demethylase activity were only reduced 120 days after inf ection. Effects on drug metabolizing enzymes were unrelated to changes in the physical state of the microsomal membrane, as assessed by meas urement of fluorescence polarization. The results of this study indica te that the capacity of the liver for handling drugs and xenobiotics m ay be impaired as a consequence of dicrocoeliosis. Copyright (C) 1996 Elsevier Science Inc.