The rate of drug biotransformation reactions and cellular viability in the livers of patients with biliary diseases.

The cytochrome P-450 level, the rate of o-amino-phenylglucuronide synthesis and the oxygen consumption of liver slices from female patients with various gall bladder disease were determined. The cytochrome P-450 level showed a decreasing trend in patients with chronic cholecystitis, choledocholithiasis or obstructive icterus when compared with those with uncomplicated gall bladder stones. The rate of o-aminophenylglucuronide synthesis was markedly increased in patients with obstructive icterus when compared with other groups. The oxygen consumption was also enhanced in this group. The enhanced rate of glucuronidation is suggested to be caused by endogenous induction of increased bilirubin level or by accumulation of bile acids in the liver cells. The present study proposes that the drug hydroxylation and glucuronidation activities are under separate control mechanisms.