Antipyrine metabolism during hepatic regeneration in the rat

Abstract

ABSTRACT— We investigated antipyrine clearance and urinary excretion of 4‐hydroxyantipyrine, 3‐hydroxymethylantipyrine and nor‐antipyrine in rats after 70% partial hepatectomy. Antipyrine clearance recovered more slowly than liver weight but after 240 h both liver weight and antipyrine clearance had reached control values. During hepatic regeneration conversion of antipyrine to the three major metabolites was reduced, conversion to 3‐hydroxymethylantipyrine being reduced more than conversion to the other metabolites. Antipyrine clearance was closely correlated to liver weight (r = 0.81), indicating a close relation between the functional hepatic mass and the liver weight during hepatic regeneration.