Effect of N-methyl-thiotetrazole on vitamin K epoxide reductase.

Clinical use of antibiotics containing a N-methyl-thiotetrazole (NMTT) side chain has been reported to be associated with an increased incidence of a vitamin K-responsive hypoprothrombinemia. Administration of NMTT to rats decreased the activity of the liver microsomal vitamin K epoxide reductase, increased the liver ratio of vitamin K epoxide to vitamin K, and decreased the rate of metabolism of injected vitamin K epoxide. These responses are the same as those observed following the administration of coumarin anticoagulants. In contrast to the effect of coumarin anticoagulants, NMTT did not inhibit the vitamin K epoxide reductase in vitro. These data suggest that the hypoprothrombinemia which has been observed following use of these antibiotics results from the inactivation of the liver vitamin K epoxide reductase by NMTT or a NMTT metabolite.