Antipyrine Clearance and α1-Acid Glycoprotein Levels after Isotretinoin

Abstract

Eight male subjects aged 18-24 years were treated with 0.5 mg of isotretinoin day^-1 kg^-1. After 4 weeks levels of cholesterol (P < 0.05) and triglyceride (P < 0.05) were increased and levels of high-density lipoprotein (HDL)-cholesterol were decreased (P < 0.05). Concentrations of aspartate aminotransferase (P < 0.01) and γ-glutamyltranspeptidase (P < 0.01) were higher after treatment; increased alkaline phosphatase and a reduction in bilirubin levels did not reach statistical significance. Values for thyroxine were reduced after isotretinoin and free thyroxine index was lower (P < 0.01). Measurements of salivary clearance of antipyrine and levels of α₁-acid glycoprotein were lower after treatment but these differences did not reach statistical significance. The findings suggest that there is a small decrease in hepatic microsomal-enzyme activity after isotretinoin and that the unwanted effects on lipids, liver and thyroid function are unlikely to be due to hepatic microsomal-enzyme induction.

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