AIM To study the effect of pretreatment with glycyrrhizin on the
hepatocyte proliferation and disposition of antipyrine
and acetaminophen in mice. METHODS After administering ig 0 2% glycyrrhizin 50 mg·kg -1 or equal amount of distilled water to mice for 7 d, the changes of
hepatic DNA content, ratio of liver/body weight and pharmacokinetic parameters of antipyrine and acetaminophen were investigated in a parallel controlled design. RESULTS In comparison with mice as control, T 12 of antipyrine was shortened by 45 3% and CL increased by 43 6% ( P <0 05) in mice pretreated with glycyrrhizn; while T 12 of acetaminophen was prolonged 54 6%, CL decreased 29 3% ( P <0 05), and the excretion of urinary glucuronide acetaminophen reduced by 11 8% ( P <0 05). The hepatic DNA content and ratio of liver/body weight insignificantly differed between mice with and without glycyrrhizin. CONCLUSION The ingestion of glycyrrhizin in mice induced the metabolism of antipyrine, inhibited acetaminophen disposition, but did not stimulate the hepatocyte prliferation.