Inhibition of hepatic drug metabolism by (+)-cyanidanol-3 (Catergen) in chronic alcoholic liver disease.

There are some controversies regarding the effect of (+)-cyanidanol-3 on hepatic drug metabolism. In the present study the effect of (+)-cyanidanol-3 was investigated on the microsomal and mitochondrial enzyme functions (hydroxylation, glucuronide production, D-glucaric acid excretion and acetylation) in alcoholic liver disease. Eight patients with biopsy-proven chronic alcoholic hepatitis were investigated before and after a 10-day, as well as after a further 30-day, treatment with (+)-cyanidanol-3 (Catergen), 3000 mg/day orally. Besides biochemical liver function tests (serum bilirubin levels, GOT, GGT), antipyrine metabolic clearance rate, mentholglucuronide production, urinary D-glucaric acid excretion and sulphadimidine kinetics were determined. Biochemical liver function tests improved markedly after the first period of treatment, at the same time antipyrine metabolic clearance rate decreased. Menthol-glucuronide production and D-glucaric acid excretion decreased significantly only after the second two course of Catergen administration. Sulphadimidine kinetics was not remarkably changed. Our findings suggest that (+)-cyanidanol-3 inhibits the hepatic microsomal drug metabolizing enzyme function in chronic alcoholic hepatitis.