Abstract
The effect of chronic Fasciola hepatica infection on the metabolism of antipyrine, a marker of microsomal oxidative metabolism, was investigated in male water buffaloes dosed daily with 60 F. hepatica metacercariae over 20 days. The plasma elimination half-life of antipyrine was significantly elevated by 23% at 11 weeks postinfection (p.i). but did not significantly differ from the control period at 20 weeks p.i. The systemic clearance of antipyrine decreased by 48% at 11 weeks p.i. and then returned to normal.  The renal clearance for each of the main antipyrine metabolites decreased at 11 weeks p.i. (hydroxymethylantipyrine (HMA), -42%; norantipyrine (NORA), -58%; and 4-hydroxyantipyrine (OHA), -70%) and did not significantly differ from the control period at 20 weeks. These findings indicate that experimental subclinical fasciolosis leads to altered antipyrine kinetics and to an inhibition of the different antipyrine metabolic pathways in water buffaloes.

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