PLASMA HYDROXY METRONIDAZOLE METRONIDAROLE RATIO IN ANTI-HCV CARRIERSWITH AND WITHOUT APPARENT LIVER-DISEASE/

Aims To evaluate plasma hydroxy-metronidazole/metronidazole ratio as a dynamic liver function test in HCV-infected individuals with/without Liver disease, in the absence of liver cirrhosis. Methods Metronidazol e was administered intravenously in healthy volunteers, asymptomatic a nti-HCV-positive blood donors, and in chronic hepatitis C patients. Se rology to HCV was determined by a second generation assay and confirme d by gelatin particle agglutination test using recombinant antigens C2 2-3 and C200, Plasma concentration of metronidazole and hydroxy-metron idazole was measured by high performance liquid chromatography in samp les collected 5, 10, 20 and 30 min following the end of metronidazole infusion. Results Chronic hepatitis: patients had abnormal liver enzym es, while healthy Volunteers and anti-HCV-positive blood donors had no rmal Liver biochemistry tests. Plasma metronidazole concentration was similar in all groups studied. Plasma Hydroxy-metronidazole/metronidaz ole ratio was significantly reduced in HCV-infected subjects, an effec t observed 10 min after the end of drug infusion. Conclusions Metronid azole clearance is impaired in anti-HCV-positive blood donors and chro nic hepatitis C patients, indicating that HCV is capable of affecting liver function at early stages of the disease. The metronidazole clear ance test can detect impaired liver function in HCV-infected individua ls even in the absence of liver cirrhosis.