Griseofulvin-induced hepatopathy due to abnormalities in heme pathway

1. The effect of long-term griseofulvin (GRIS) topical administration on some indicators of liver damage was examined. 2. Liver porphyrin accumulation was significant; however, no porhyrin crystals were observed under light microscopy. 3. An earlier onset of hepatopathy was established (3-fold) increase of direct bilirubin values after 7 days of treatment; hepatic injury was confirmed by measuring a 6-fold increase of free bilirubin. 4. Enhanced values of alkaline phosphatase and glutamic oxalacetic transaminase (GOT) confirmed the onset of cholestasis. 5. Topical application of GRIS induced measurable hepatopathy. Nevertheless, we cannot discard the possibility that this hepatopathy could also be attributed in part to a direct reaction to xenobiotics.