[State of the liver after radiotherapy of cancer of the stomach and larynx with metronidazole radiosensitization].

The use of metronidazole in radiation therapy of laryngeal cancer (SFD = 20 Gy) as a radiosensitizer of tumor hypoxic cells resulted in changes of the liver function tests: a decrease in the cholinesterase activity, a decrease in the level of cholesterol and albumin esters in the blood serum that characterize synthetic liver function. Similar though more noticeable in amounts shifts were marked in stomach cancer patients following preoperative irradiation (SFD = 20 Gy). A slight decrease in AP activity and a decrease in LDH activity below the initial level were simultaneously noted in the latter group as opposed to the group of laryngeal cancer patients. The deviations from the initial level of such liver function indices as bilirubin and total protein level, alanine and asparagine aminotransferase activity did not depend on the incorporation of metronidazole in the radiotherapeutic scheme and developed one way in the intervention and control groups of patients disregarding tumor site. The comparison of shifts of the liver tests in stomach and laryngeal cancer patients in whom tumor site was responsible for the incorporation of the liver in the irradiated zone or for the distance from it, made it possible to regard MZ direct toxic effect and its radiosensitizing effect on the hepatic tissue as causes of the observed deviations.