Effect of subacute DDT on pharmacokinetics of isoniazid and liver function in rabbits

DDT administration (30 mg/kg per day, po, for 21 consecutive days) to rabbits showed an increase in peak plasma concentration and a decrease in time to reach peak plasma concentration of isoniazid whereas no change was observed in elimination rate constant and area under the plasma concentration-time curve. DDT treatment caused increased absorption of isoniazid. Early signs of hepatic damage were also observed. Since there was no change in the levels of serum glutamate oxaloacetate transaminase and serum glutamate pyruvate transaminase, it can be concluded that DDT does not significantly affect liver function at the dosage used. The observed elevated levels of alkaline phosphatase could be due to direct activation of the enzyme. Leukopaenia and neutropaenia with relative lymphocytosis indicated that DDT might have suppressant effect on granulocyte cell line of WBCs.