Paracetamol and Glutathion

University Hospital, Clermont-Ferrand

Status and phase: Completed; Phase 1

Conditions: Chronic Pain; Elderly

Treatments: Drug: Paracetamol

Study type: Interventional

Funder types: Other

Identifiers

NCT01116596

2006-006564-36 (EudraCT Number)

CHU-0072

Details and patient eligibility

About

Paracetamol is one of the most widely used analgesics in the world especially for chronic pain in the elderly. The metabolism of paracetamol occurs in the liver and involves the use of glutamyl-cysteinyl-glycine (Glutathione (GSH)). Medications such as paracetamol, may reduce the reserves of GSH because it is used for detoxification and elimination. It is well known that the concentration of GSH decrease after administration of paracetamol in humans and animals.

Aging is associated with decreased concentration of GSH in cells and tissues. In the elderly, a decrease of GSH concentration in plasma or red blood cells is associated with decreased physical and mental health.

We wish here to determine, in subjects aged over 70 years, the blood concentration of glutathione (GSH) and urinary loss of cysteine in the detoxification of paracetamol, when taking paracetamol treatment repeated.

Full description

Paracetamol is one of the most widely used analgesics in the world especially for chronic pain in the elderly. The metabolism of paracetamol occurs in the liver and involves the use of glutamyl-cysteinyl-glycine (glutathione (GSH)). Medications such as paracetamol, may reduce the reserves of GSH because it is used for detoxification and elimination. It is well known that the concentration of GSH decrease after administration of paracetamol in humans and animals.

Aging is associated with decreased concentration of GSH in cells and tissues. In the elderly, a decrease of GSH concentration in plasma or red blood cells is associated with decreased physical and mental health.

We wish here to determine, in subjects aged over 70 years, the blood concentration of glutathione (GSH) and urinary loss of cysteine in the detoxification of paracetamol, when taking paracetamol treatment repeated.

Enrollment: 18 patients

Sex: All

Ages: 70+ years old

Volunteers: Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Inclusion criteria

• Elderly patients over 70 years and treated for over two weeks by oral paracetamol, 3 grams per day (Doliprane ® 1000 mg) as part of their usual care.
• Male and female.

Exclusion criteria

• Subject to compliance with the prescribed drug therapy is questionable.
• Subject taking the N-acetyl-cysteine.
• Renal or hepatic disease.

Trial design

Primary purpose: Treatment

Allocation: Non-Randomized

Interventional model: Single Group Assignment

Masking: None (Open label)