[Use of the paraxanthine/caffeine ratio in the saliva of patients with liver cirrhosis].

Abstract

BACKGROUND:

Caffeine elimination and monitoring of its metabolites after a single peroral administration in used to evaluate liver metabolic function. The aim of the study was to use the paraxanthine/caffeine ratio in saliva to evaluate liver function in patients with liver cirrhosis. Results were correlated with various procedures evaluating the elimination rate of caffeine.

METHODS AND RESULTS:

The study group consisted of 7 patients with compensated liver cirrhosis and 10 healthy volunteers, all individuals were given a single 280 mg dose of caffeine perorally. Concentration of salivary caffeine was determined in each person with high performance liquid chromatography after 4, 6, 8 and 12 hours after application. The paraxanthine/caffeine ratio was evaluated at the 6-hour interval. Estimated clearance (CL), half-life (t1/2) and volume of distribution (Vd) were calculated from 2 or 4 concentrations of the drug. The metabolic ratio of the patients (x = 0.15 +/- 0.07) was significantly lower then the control group (x = 0.55 +/- 0.29). Using a four-point procedure we acquired the following values: patients--CL 2.39 +/- 2.36 l/h, t1/2 = 90.18 +/- 168.44 h; healthy volunteers--CL = 8.10 +/- 4.58 l/h, t1/2 = 8.60 +/- 4.12 h (p < 0.05). Statistically significant correlation was found between the metabolic ratio and CL value (rs = 0.83) or between half-life (rs = -0.72). Similar results were also obtained using the two-point method.

CONCLUSION:

In patients with liver cirrhosis we found significantly lower paraxanthine/caffeine ratio which correlates with lowered elimination of caffeine. Its evaluation enables non-invasive assessment of liver metabolic function from a single sample of saliva.

• Authors: F Perlík, T Pucelíková, O Slanar
• Journal: Casopis lekaru ceskych (Cas Lek Cesk) Vol. 140 Issue 2 Pg. 51-3 (Feb 01 2001) ISSN: 0008-7335 [Print] Czech Republic
• Vernacular Title: Pouzití pomĕru paraxantin/kofein ve slinách nemocných s jaterní cirhózou.
• PMID: 11262908 (Publication Type: English Abstract, Journal Article)

Chemical References

• Caffeine
• Theophylline
• 1,7-dimethylxanthine

Topics

• Caffeine (analysis, pharmacokinetics)
• Female
• Humans
• Liver Cirrhosis (diagnosis, physiopathology)
• Liver Function Tests
• Male
• Middle Aged
• Saliva (chemistry)
• Theophylline (analysis, pharmacokinetics)