Pharmacokinetic profile of antipyrine in young rhesus monkeys (Macaca mulatta) with protein energy malnutrition.

An experimental model of protein energy malnutrition was produced in five young rhesus monkeys and the pharmacokinetics of antipyrine were studied at three points, initially, during protein energy malnutrition and following nutritional rehabilitation. In a separate group of animals, the estimation of hepatic enzyme aminopyrine N-demethylase was performed. There was a significant decrease in the elimination kinetics, the half life was increased, and the clearance rate was decreased in the malnourished animals, which correlated with a corresponding decrease in aminopyrine N-demethylase activity.