[Evaluation of microsomal liver enzyme function in patients with duodenal ulcer treated with ranitidine]

Functioning of hepatocytes has been assessed with respiratory test with aminopyrine labelled with 14C radioisotope in patients with duodenal ulcer treated with ranitidine. Reversibility of changes in liver microsomal system at different intervals after the completion of therapy has also been evaluated. Altogether 30 patients with duodenal ulcer treated with ranitidine have been examined: prior to the treatment--group Ia, after one day of ranitidine administration--group Ib, within 4 weeks of therapy--group Ic, within 8 weeks of therapy--group Id, and one week after the completion of the treatment--group Ie, as well as after a 4-week follow-up period--group If. Significant decrease in the results of respiratory test has been noted in patients treated with ranitidine after both four and eight weeks. Activity of liver mono-oxidases approached baseline values after one week following the completion of therapy. The results of routine liver functioning tests in all patients of groups I and II have been within normal values. The obtained results suggest that patients treated with ranitidine should cautiously be given other medicines, especially those affecting liver functioning or metabolized in the liver.