Pharmacokinetic profile of methotrexate and 5-fluorouracil in normal and bilharzial-infested mice

The pharmacokinetics of two commonly used anticancer drugs, methotrexate (MTX) and 5-fluorouracil (5-FU), were investigated in normal and bilharzial-infested mice. Liver glucose-6-phosphatase activity and antipyrine clearance were used as parameters of liver function. Liver glucose-6-phosphatase activity was significantly reduced in bilharzial-infested mice compared with the normal controls. Bilharzial infestation caused a significant reduction in the elimination (beta) and clearance rate (Cl) of antipyrine, whereas its elimination half-life (t1/2 beta) was increased in comparison with the normal controls. A similar pattern was also obtained after MTX and 5-FU administration in bilharzial mice, compared to controls. These results indicate that hepatic bilharziasis causes a significant reduction in the hepatic clearance and elimination of MTX and 5-FU, whereas their areas under the concentration-time curve were significantly increased. These findings may have to be considered in the treatment of bilharzial cancer patients.