Reduction of first-pass hepatic clearance of propranolol by food

Exposure to drugs, chemicals, and hormones from the gut depends on initial (first-pass) liver extraction and subsequent removal from the general circulation. We show that food decreases first-pass liver extraction of a marker drug, propranolol, during first-pass transit. This effect may apply to other drugs, environmental chemicals, and nutritional and gut-hormone balance. Clinical Pharmacology and Therapeutics (1981) 30, 31–34; doi:10.1038/clpt.1981.123