[Benzodiazepine metabolism in experimental extrahepatic cholestasis]

The aim of the present study was to determine the effect of bile flow impairment on hepatic lorazepam detoxication and its relationship with the liver microsomal membrane phospholipid composition. It was observed a decrease of phosphatidylcholine, phosphatidylinositol, phosphatidylethanolamine and sphingomyelin content and an increase of phosphatidylserine and phosphatidylglycerol. A similar activity on lorazepam detoxication was observed when cholestatic rats were compared to controls. These results suggest that there is a different modulation than the phospholipid environment play the key role in lorazepam metabolism, independently of membrane.