EFFECTS OF LONG-TERM ADMINISTRATION OF ACETAMINOPHEN ON THE NUTRITIONAL UTILIZATION OF DIETARY-PROTEIN

The effect of long-term administration of acetaminophen to rats on the dietary protein utilization was investigated using protein-sufficient and protein-deficient diets. Fat digestibility, food efficiency and some hepatic parameters were also determined. Results showed that there was a significant decrease in the nitrogen metabolic utilization in the protein-sufficient treated animals compared to the untreated group (0.59 +/- 0.03 vs. 0.75 +/-0.03, p < 0.001). The protein-deficient diet and the administration of the drug resulted in lower nitrogen metabolic utilization in either of the two metabolic balances (days 4-11 and 36-42). These changes were not accompanied by variations in the nitrogen digestibility coefficient.