Effect of zinc supplementation on oxidative drug metabolism in patients with hepatic cirrhosis.

The pharmacokinetics of antipyrine were studied in seven zinc deficient patients with hepatic cirrhosis, before and after zinc supplementation. Each patient received zinc sulphate 660 mg daily for 30 days, restoring zinc status to normal as assessed by leucocyte zinc concentration. Antipyrine clearance was significantly reduced (P less than 0.05) and antipyrine elimination half-life increased (P less than 0.05) following administration of zinc sulphate without significant alteration in the apparent volume of distribution. It is concluded that supplementation of the zinc deficiency associated with hepatic cirrhosis impaired the hepatic oxidative metabolism of antipyrine.