PARACETAMOL METABOLISM IN PATIENTS WITH ULCERATIVE-COLITIS

Aims The capacity for sulphation of phenols appears to be impaired in the colonic mucosa of patients with ulcerative colitis. The aim of the present study was to investigate the systemic capacity for sulphation of phenols in patients with ulcerative colitis assessed by the metabo lic clearances of paracetamol to the sulphate, glucuronide and glutath ione derived metabolites. Methods Ten patients with ulcerative colitis and 10 control subjects received a single oral dose of paracetamol (1 g). Venous blood samples were collected frequently for pharmacokineti c determinations tone compartment model). Urine was collected for 24 h . Plasma samples were analysed for parent drug and urine samples for p arent drug and metabolites by h.p.l.c. Partial metabolic clearances we re calculated as the fractional urinary recovery of each conjugate mul tiplied by the apparent oral clearance of paracetamol. Results The app arent oral clearance of paracetamol and the partial clearances of its metabolites were not significantly different between the two study gro ups. Median value and the corresponding 25th and 75th percentiles for the clearance of the sulphate metabolites were 93.6 (82.5-138.8)ml kg( -1) h(-1) and 77.4 (75.5-99.1), patients with ulcerative colitis and c ontrol subjects, respectively. Conclusions These results do not indica te a general impairment of the systemic capacity for sulphation of par acetamol in patients with ulcerative colitis.