Effect of a non-steroid anti-inflammatory agent on the drug metabolizing activity of the human liver.

Results of animal experiments indicate that indomethacin has a marked inhibitory effect on the activity of the hepatic microsomal mixed function monooxygenase (MFO) enzyme system. In order to verify this effect of indomethacin in humans, the authors studied antipyrine kinetics and D-glucaric acid excretion in 14 patients before and after 7 days treatment with two different doses of the drug. In contrast to the results obtained from animal experiments, there was no change in the activity of MFO in man. This can possibly be explained by species difference.