Phenobarbitone-induced urinary excretions of D-glucaric acid and 6beta-hydroxycortisol in man.

The urinary excretion of D-glucaric acid and 6beta-hydroxycortisol were determined in normal subjects before, during, and after 14 days treatment with placebo or phenobarbitone. The excretion of both metabolites was significantly potentiated by phenobarbitone and returned to baseline values 1 month after treatment was withdrawn. It was suggested that the determination of urinary D-glucaric acid reflects the activity of the hepatic microsomal mixed function oxidase system after the administration of an inducing agent such as phenobarbitone.