[Cytochrome P-450-dependent hydroxylation in liver tissue of patients with hepatobiliary diseases].

Chronic diseases of the liver were found to be associated with microsomal hydroxylation reactions inhibition, this inhibition depending on the disease activity and stage. Chronic cholestatic hepatitis and primary biliary cirrhosis are associated with a more marked suppression of these reactions, the degree of inhibition being in proportion with the cholestatic syndrome severity. Demethylation process was found inhibited in active liver cirrhosis and primary biliary cirrhosis. The authors believe that assessment of the rate of microsomal oxidation in a liver biopsy specimen will help objectively assess the first phase of cytochrome P-450 effected biotransformation (hydroxylation) in patients with chronic disease.