Oltipraz: administration with food increases its anti-schistosomal activity

In a previous study it was demonstrated that the concentration of oltipraz in the plasma of human volunteers was significantly elevated when administered with food. In this study we attempted to determine if this food-induced increase was associated with an increase in the drug's anti-schistosomal activity. The drug was administered with and without food to two groups of patients infected with Schistosoma mansoni. The concentration of oltipraz in the plasma of these patients was measured at varying intervals after dosing. Results indicate that the food-induced increase in the bioavailability of oltipraz in patients with S. mansoni produces a significant increase in the drug's anti-schistosomal activity.