Impaired in vitro metabolism of the flukicidal agent nitroxynil by hepatic microsomal cytochrome P-450 in bovine fascioliasis

In vitro metabolism by liver tissue of the flukicidal agent nitroxynil has been studied in cattle naturally infected with Fasciola hepatica. A dramatic impairment of the cytochrome P-450-dependent nitroxynil metabolism both in the acute and in the milder stage of the disease has been observed and this is due to a loss in the integrity and functionality of the cytochrome P-450 enzyme system. These results suggest that in bovine fascioliasis the in vivo metabolism of nitroxynil will be decreased with consequent increase of nitroxynil retention in the animal's body.