Pharmacokinetics of florfenicol in veal calves

A Green HPLC Approach to Florfenicol Analysis in Pig Urine

Florfenicol (FF) is a broad-spectrum antibiotic used to treat gastrointestinal and respiratory infections in domestic animals. Considering FF's rapid elimination via urine after drug treatment, its use increases concerns about environmental contamination. The objective of the study was to establish a sustainable chromatographic method for simple analysis of FF in pig urine to investigate the urinary excretion of FF after a single intramuscular administration of 20 mg FF/kg body weight. The urine sample was prepared using a centrifuge and regenerated cellulose filter, and the diluted sample was analyzed. The method was validated in terms of linearity, the limit of detection (0.005 µg/mL) and quantitation (0.016 µg/mL), repeatability and matrix effect (%RSD ranged up to 2.5), accuracy (varied between 98% and 102%), and stability. The concentration-time profile of pig urine samples collected within 48 h post-drug administration showed that 63% of FF's dose was excreted. The developed method and previously published methods used to qualify FF in the urine of animal origin were evaluated by the National Environmental Method Index (NEMI), Green Analytical Procedure Index (GAPI) and Analytical GREENness Metric Approach (AGREE). The greenness profiles of published methods revealed problems with high solvents and energy consumption, while the established method was shown to be more environmentally friendly.

Influence of Escherichia coli lipopolysaccharide-induced endotoxemia on plasma and tissue disposition of florfenicol after intramuscular administration in rabbits

To assess the effects of the acute inflammatory response (AIR) induced by Escherichia coli lipopolysaccharide (LPS) on plasma and tissue disposition of florfenicol (FFC) and its metabolite florfenicol amine (FFC-a), after its intramuscular (IM) administration, twenty-two New Zealand rabbits were randomly distributed in two experimental groups: Group 1 (LPS) was treated with three intravenous doses of 2 μg LPS/kg bw, before an intramuscular dose of 20 mg/kg FFC twenty-four h after the first LPS or SS injection; Group 2 (Control) was treated with saline solution (SS) in equivalent volumes as LPS-treated group. Blood samples were collected before (T0) and at different times after FFC administration. Acute inflammatory response was assessed in a parallel study where significant increases in body temperature, C-reactive protein concentrations and leukopenia were observed in the group treated with LPS. In another two groups of rabbits, 4 h after FFC treatment, rabbits were euthanized and tissue samples were collected for analysis of FFC and FFC-a concentrations. Pharmacokinetic parameters of FFC that showed significantly higher values in LPS-treated rabbits compared with control rabbits were absorption half-life, area under the curve, mean residence time and clearance /F (Cl/F). Elimination half-life and mean residence time of FFC-a were significantly higher in LPS-treated rabbits, whereas the metabolite ratio of FFC-a decreased significantly. Significant differences in tissue distribution of FFC and FFC-a were observed in rabbits treated with LPS. Modifications in plasma and tissue disposition of FFC and FFC-a were attributed mainly to haemodynamic modifications induced by the AIR through LPS administration.

Pharmacokinetics of florfenicol in serum and seminal plasma in beef bulls

The objectives of this study were to compare the serum and seminal plasma pharmacokinetic profiles of florfenicol (FLO) and florfenicol amine (FLA) after the administration of FLO either by IM or SC routes in beef bulls. Four clinically healthy Hereford bulls underwent a comprehensive physical exam, including breeding soundness examination, CBC, and chemistry profile panel. Bulls were healthy and classified satisfactory potential breeders. In one group (n = 2), a single dose of FLO was administered SC in the middle of the neck at a dose of 40 mg/kg of body weight. In the second group (n = 2), a single dose was administered IM in the muscles of the neck at a dose of 20 mg/kg. Concentrations of FLO and FLA in serum and seminal plasma were determined by ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography coupled to tandem mass spectrometry (UHPLC-MS/MS). Blood and semen samples were collected before the administration of FLO and at 12, 24, 36, 48, 72, 96, 120, 144, and 168 h after injection. The blood was collected from the coccygeal vessels, and semen was collected by electroejaculation. All samples were immediately refrigerated, processed within the first hour after collection, and finally stored at -80 °C. The mean level of total FLO in serum was higher when administered by the SC route (1,415.5 ng/mL) than by the IM route (752.4 ng/mL; P = 0.001). Differences were observed between the percentage of FLA in serum (1.8%; ranging from 1.3 to 2.9) and in seminal plasma (27.5%; ranging from 15.9 to 34.2; P = 0.0001). The mean level (±SD) of FLA was higher in seminal plasma compared to serum (467 ± 466 ng/mL and 18 ± 16 ng/mL, respectively; P = 0.001). The mean level of total FLO in seminal plasma was 1,454.8 ng/mL for the SC route and 1,872.9 ng/mL for the IM route without differences between the two routes (P = 0.51). Differences in the mean level of total FLO between serum and seminal plasma were detected (1,187 ± 2,069 ng/mL and 1,748 ± 1,906 ng/mL, respectively; P = 0.04). From the present investigation, it was concluded that FLO is a suitable antibiotic based on its pharmacokinetic attributes and may be employed for the treatment of bull genital infections when its use is indicated. To study the pharmacokinetics of FLO in seminal plasma, the analysis of FLA should be incorporated.

A review on the antibiotic florfenicol: Occurrence, environmental fate, effects, and health risks

Florfenicol, as a replacement for chloramphenicol, can tightly bind to the A site of the 23S rRNA in the 50S subunit of the 70S ribosome, thereby inhibiting protein synthesis and bacterial proliferation. Due to the widespread use in aquaculture and veterinary medicine, florfenicol has been detected in the aquatic environment worldwide. Concerns over the effects and health risks of florfenicol on target and non-target organisms have been raised in recent years. Although the ecotoxicity of florfenicol has been widely reported in different species, no attempt has been made to review the current research progress of florfenicol toxicity, hormesis, and its health risks posed to biota. In this study, a comprehensive literature review was conducted to summarize the effects of florfenicol on various organisms including bacteria, algae, invertebrates, fishes, birds, and mammals. The generation of antibiotic resistant bacteria and spread antibiotic resistant genes, closely associated with hormesis, are pressing environmental health issues stemming from overuse or misuse of antibiotics including florfenicol. Exposure to florfenicol at μg/L-mg/L induced hormetic effects in several algal species, and chromoplasts might serve as a target for florfenicol-induced effects; however, the underlying molecular mechanisms are completely lacking. Exposure to high levels (mg/L) of florfenicol modified the xenobiotic metabolism, antioxidant systems, and energy metabolism, resulting in hepatotoxicity, renal toxicity, immunotoxicity, developmental toxicity, reproductive toxicity, obesogenic effects, and hormesis in different animal species. Mitochondria and the associated energy metabolism are suggested to be the primary targets for florfenicol toxicity in animals, albeit further in-depth investigations are warranted for revealing the long-term effects (e.g., whole-life-cycle impacts, multigenerational effects) of florfenicol, especially at environmental levels, and the underlying mechanisms. This will facilitate the evaluation of potential hormetic effects and construction of adverse outcome pathways for environmental risk assessment and regulation of florfenicol.

Delivery of florfenicol in veterinary medicine through a PLGA-based nanodelivery system: improving its performance and overcoming some of its limitations

As is the case with other veterinary antibiotics, florfenicol (FFC) faces certain limitations, such as low solubility in water, or the fact that it is reported to interfere with the immune response after some immunoprofilactic actions in livestock. Aiming to improve its efficacy and overall performance, FFC was loaded into a polymeric nanobased delivery system by succesfully using the emulsion-evaporation technique. The poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) nanoparticles loaded with FFC were characterized in terms of size (101 ± 0.52 nm), zeta potential (26.80 ± 1.30 mV) and poly-dispersity index (0.061 ± 0.019). The achieved loading was 2.24 μg FFC/mg of NPs, with an entrapment efficiency of 7.9%. The antimicrobial effect, the anti-biofilm formation and the cytotoxicity properties of the NPs were evaluated. The results indicated a MIC decreased by ~97.13% for S. aureus, 99.33% for E.coli and 64.1% for P. aeruginosa when compared to free FFC. The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) obtained indicated the potential for using a significantly lower dose of florfenicol. The delivery system produced biofilm inhibition while showing no cytotoxic effects when tested on porcine primary fibroblasts and horse mesenchymal stem cells. These findings suggest that florfenicol can be improved and formulations optimized for use in veterinary medicine through its incorporation into a nanobased delivery system designed to release in a controlled manner over time.

Florfenicol sustained-release granules: an in vitro-in vivo correlation study in pigs

The objective of this study was to synthesize and characterize pharmaceutical characteristics of florfenicol sustained-release granules (FSRGs) in vitro and in vivo. FSRGs were synthesized using monostearate, polyethylene glycol 4000 and starch. In vitro dissolution profiles were studied using the rotating basket method in pH 1.2 HCl solution and pH 4.3 acetate buffer. Twenty-four male healthy Landrace×Yorkshire pigs were equally divided into three groups and administered a 20 mg/kg i.v bolus of florfenicol solution and dosed orally with FSRGs in the fasting and fed states. The Higuchi model was the best fit for the drug release profile in pH 1.2 and pH 4.3 media, and the mechanism of drug dissolution was governed by both diffusion and dissolution. We established a level A in vitro - in vivo correlation for FSRGs and the in vivo profile of the FSRGs can be estimated by the in vitro drug release.

Old Antibiotics Can Learn New Ways: A Systematic Review of Florfenicol Use in Veterinary Medicine and Future Perspectives Using Nanotechnology

Florfenicol is a broad-spectrum bacteriostatic antibiotic used exclusively in veterinary medicine in order to treat the pathology of farm and aquatic animals. It is a synthetic fluorinated analog of thiamphenicol and chloramphenicol that functions by inhibiting ribosomal activity, which disrupts bacterial protein synthesis and has shown over time a strong activity against Gram-positive and negative bacterial groups. Florfenicol was also reported to have anti-inflammatory activity through a marked reduction in immune cell proliferation and cytokine production. The need for improvement came from (1) the inappropriate use (to an important extent) of this antimicrobial, which led to serious concerns about florfenicol-related resistance genes, and (2) the fact that this antibiotic has a low water solubility making it difficult to formulate an aqueous solution in organic solvents, and applicable for different routes of administration. This review aims to synthesize the various applications of florfenicol in veterinary medicine, explore the potential use of nanotechnology to improve its effectiveness and analyze the advantages and limitations of such approaches. The review is based on data from scientific articles and systematic reviews identified in several databases.

MRM3-based UHPLC-MS/MS method for quantitation of total florfenicol residue content in milk and withdrawal study profile of milk from treated cows

Florfenicol is a broad spectrum antibacterial, licensed globally for treatment of animal and aquaculture diseases. In the EU, Canada and US it is not permitted for use in animals producing milk or eggs. There are no published methods for analysis of total florfenicol content in milk/milk products as these lack a hydrolysis step, failing to meet the marker residue definition. A method for determining total florfenicol content in milk that meets this definition is reported for the first time. Use of a UHPLC-MS/MS multiple reaction monitoring-cubed method improved the selective detection and quantitation of lower levels of florfenicol amine in milk compared to MRM only. Single laboratory validation data and withdrawal profile in bovine milk are presented. A withdrawal period of over 50 days is indicated in case of off-label use. Requirement for hydrolysis is demonstrated.

An Interactive Generic Physiologically Based Pharmacokinetic (igPBPK) Modeling Platform to Predict Drug Withdrawal Intervals in Cattle and Swine: A Case Study on Flunixin, Florfenicol and Penicillin G

Violative chemical residues in edible tissues from food-producing animals are of global public health concern. Great efforts have been made to develop physiologically based pharmacokinetic (PBPK) models for estimating withdrawal intervals (WDIs) for extralabel prescribed drugs in food animals. Existing models are insufficient to address the food safety concern as these models are either limited to 1 specific drug or difficult to be used by non-modelers. This study aimed to develop a user-friendly generic PBPK platform that can predict tissue residues and estimate WDIs for multiple drugs including flunixin, florfenicol, and penicillin G in cattle and swine. Mechanism-based in silico methods were used to predict tissue/plasma partition coefficients and the models were calibrated and evaluated with pharmacokinetic data from Food Animal Residue Avoidance Databank (FARAD). Results showed that model predictions were, in general, within a 2-fold factor of experimental data for all 3 drugs in both species. Following extralabel administration and respective U.S. FDA-approved tolerances, predicted WDIs for both cattle and swine were close to or slightly longer than FDA-approved label withdrawal times (eg, predicted 8, 28, and 7 days vs labeled 4, 28, and 4 days for flunixin, florfenicol, and penicillin G in cattle, respectively). The final model was converted to a web-based interactive generic PBPK platform. This PBPK platform serves as a user-friendly quantitative tool for real-time predictions of WDIs for flunixin, florfenicol, and penicillin G following FDA-approved label or extralabel use in both cattle and swine, and provides a basis for extrapolating to other drugs and species.

Urinary concentrations of amphenicol antibiotics in relation to biomarkers of oxidative DNA and RNA damage in school children

Previous studies implied that elevated exposure to amphenicol antibiotics may induce increased oxidative stress. However, the effects of amphenicol antibiotics exposure on oxidative stress damage in human have not been well studied. This study examined the associations between amphenicol antibiotics exposure and oxidative damage biomarkers in school children. Three major amphenicols including chloramphenicol (CAP), thiamphenicol (TAP), florfenicol (FF) and two biomarkers of 8-hydroxydeoxyguanosine (8-OHdG) for oxidative DNA damage and 8-oxo-7,8- dihydroguanosine (8-OHG) for oxidative RNA damage were measured in 414 morning urine samples collected from 70 school children in Shanghai, China. School children were exposed to CAP, TAP, and FF with median concentrations of 1.37, 0.36, and 0.06 μg/g Cre, respectively. Linear mixed models revealed that an interquartile range (IQR) increase of urinary TAP was positively associated with 7.75%(95% CI: 4.40%, 11.1%) increase of 8-OHdG and 7.48%(95% CI: 2.49%, 15.6%) increase of 8-OHG, respectively; in addition, CAP was associated with elevated 8-OHdG. Although FF was not found to be significantly associated with either 8-OHdG or 8-OHG, it is warranted to further investigate FF and its metabolites levels in relation to oxidative stress in future study. Our findings provide new evidence for the effects of exposure to TAP and CAP on nucleic acid oxidative damage in Children.

Salvia miltiorrhiza polysaccharides alleviates florfenicol induced kidney injury in chicks via inhibiting oxidative stress and apoptosis

Florfenicol (FFC) is a commonly used antibiotic in animal husbandry, which is easy to cause organs damage in a variety of animals. It has been proved to have nephrotoxicity and affect the yield and quality of meat products. Salvia miltiorrhiza polysaccharides (SMPs) have been proved to have the pharmacological effects of regulating immunity and protecting the liver of animals, and its alleviative effect on renal injury is unclear. In order to investigate the alleviating effect of SMPs on drug nephrotoxicity and determine its potential molecular mechanism, we took chicks as the research object, FFC as the induced drug, and established the model by adding SMPs in drinking water. The chicks were randomly divided into control group, FFC model group (0.15 g/L FFC), FFC + low, medium and high dose of SMPs groups (0.15 g/L FFC + 1.25, 2.5, 5 g/L SMPs) and SMPs group (5 g/L SMPs). The results showed that, SMPs increased the average weight gain and renal index of chicks, alleviated the pathological changes of renal structure induced by FFC, decreased the contents of uric acid, blood urea nitrogen and creatinine in serum and malondialdehyde in renal tissue, increased the levels of glutathione, superoxide dismutase and catalase in renal tissue, up-regulated the relative expression levels of nuclear factor erythroid 2 related factor 2 (Nrf2), heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) and nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate: quinone oxidoreductase-1 (NQO-1) mRNA and protein, and down-regulated the relative expression levels of p53, Caspase-3 and Caspase-6 mRNA and protein and the apoptosis rate of renal histiocytes. It is concluded that SMPs could significantly alleviate the renal injury induced by FFC, and its mechanism may be related to improving renal antioxidant capacity and inhibiting abnormal apoptosis of renal histiocytes.

Maximum levels of cross-contamination for 24 antimicrobial active substances in non-target feed. Part 7: Amphenicols: florfenicol and thiamphenicol

The specific concentrations of florfenicol and thiamphenicol in non-target feed for food-producing animals, below which there would not be an effect on the emergence of, and/or selection for, resistance in bacteria relevant for human and animal health, as well as the specific antimicrobial concentrations in feed which have an effect in terms of growth promotion/increased yield, were assessed by EFSA in collaboration with EMA. Details of the methodology used for this assessment, associated data gaps and uncertainties, are presented in a separate document. To address antimicrobial resistance, the Feed Antimicrobial Resistance Selection Concentration (FARSC) model developed specifically for the assessment was applied. The FARSC for florfenicol was estimated. However, due to the lack of data, the calculation of the FARSC for thiamphenicol was not possible until further experimental data become available. To address growth promotion, data from scientific publications obtained from an extensive literature review were used. Levels in feed that showed to have an effect on growth promotion/increased yield were reported for florfenicol, whilst for thiamphenicol no suitable data for the assessment were available. Uncertainties and data gaps associated to the levels reported were addressed. For florfenicol, it was recommended to perform further studies to supply more diverse and complete data related to the requirements for calculation of the FARSC, whereas for thiamphenicol, the recommendation was to generate the data required to fill the gaps which prevented the FARSC calculation.

A history of antimicrobial drugs in animals: Evolution and revolution

The evolutionary process of antimicrobial drug (AMD) uses in animals over a mere eight decades (1940-2020) has led to a revolutionary outcome, and both evolution and revolution are ongoing, with reports on a range of uses, misuses and abuses escalating logarithmically. As well as veterinary therapeutic perspectives (efficacy, safety, host toxicity, residues, selection of drug, determination of dose and measurement of outcome in treating animal diseases), there are also broader, nontherapeutic uses, some of which have been abandoned, whilst others hopefully will soon be discontinued, at least in more developed countries. Although AMD uses for treatment of animal diseases will continue, it must: (a) be sustainable within the One Health paradigm; and (b) devolve into more prudent, rationally based therapeutic uses. As this review on AMDs is published in a Journal of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, its scope has been made broader than most recent reviews in this field. Many reviews have focused on negative aspects of AMD actions and uses, especially on the question of antimicrobial resistance. This review recognizes these concerns but also emphasizes the many positive aspects deriving from the use of AMDs, including the major research-based advances underlying both the prudent and rational use of AMDs. It is structured in seven sections: (1) Introduction; (2) Sulfonamide history; (3) Nontherapeutic and empirical uses of AMDs (roles of agronomists and veterinarians); (4) Rational uses of AMDs (roles of pharmacologists, clinicians, industry and regulatory controls); (5) Prudent use (residue monitoring, antimicrobial resistance); (6) International and inter-disciplinary actions; and (7) Conclusions.

Pharmacokinetics of florfenicol and thiamphenicol after single oral and intravenous, as well as multiple oral administrations to geese

1. This study evaluated the pharmacokinetic profiles of florfenicol (FF) and thiamphenicol (TP), which are synthetic bacteriostatic antimicrobial drugs, in geese after a single intravenous or oral administration, as well as seven oral doses administered at 12 h intervals. For all treatments, the dose was 30 mg/kg. 2. After single IV administration, clearance and volume of distribution were low (0.23 ± 0.03 l/h/kg and 0.57 ± 0.08 l/kg for FF, and 0.23 ± 0.04 l/h/kg and 0.59 ± 0.08 l/kg for TP, respectively). The elimination half-life was similar between products and short (2.91 ± 0.41 and 2.84 ± 0.64 h for FF and TP, respectively). 3. The single oral administration resulted in efficient absorption (bioavailability of 83.15 ± 11.48 for FF and 75.21 ± 19.56% for TP) with high maximal concentrations of 30.47 ± 2.47 and 20.02 ± 3.87 μg/ml for FF and TP, respectively. The area under the curve was 108.36 ± 14.96 and 101.81 ± 26.48 mg×h/l for FF and TP, respectively. 4. For both drugs, the two latter parameters were found to be higher compared to earlier studies on terrestrial birds. This suggested that FF and TP may be efficient in treating infections in geese caused by certain bacteria sensitive to chloramphenicol. 5. Neither drug accumulated in tissues following the oral seven doses and no adverse effects were noted in any treated animals. Thus, the selected FF and TP dosage may be considered as a safe treatment for geese.

VetCAST Method for Determination of the Pharmacokinetic-Pharmacodynamic Cut-Off Values of a Long-Acting Formulation of Florfenicol to Support Clinical Breakpoints for Florfenicol Antimicrobial Susceptibility Testing in Cattle

The PK/PD cut-off (PK/PDCO) value of florfenicol for calf pathogens was determined for long acting formulations (MSD Nuflor® and a bioequivalent generic product). PK/PDCO is one of the three MICs considered by VetCAST, a sub-committee of the European Committee on Susceptibility Testing (EUCAST), to establish a Clinical Breakpoint for interpreting Antimicrobial Susceptibility Testing (AST). A population model was built by pooling three pharmacokinetic data sets, obtained from 50 richly sampled calves, receiving one of two formulations (the pioneer product and a generic formulation). A virtual population of 5,000 florfenicol disposition curves was generated by Monte Carlo Simulations (MCS) over the 96 h of the assumed duration of action of the formulations. From this population, the maximum predicted MIC, for which 90% of calves can achieve some a priori selected critical value for two PK/PD indices, AUC/MIC and T>MIC, was established. Numerical values were established for two bacterial species of the bovine respiratory disease (BRD) complex, Pasteurella multocida and Mannheimia haemolytica. It was concluded that the PK/PDCO of florfenicol for both AUC/MIC and T>MIC was 1 mg/L.

Pharmacokinetic of florfenicol in pulmonary epithelial lining fluid of swine and effects of anesthetic agent on drug plasma disposition kinetics

ABSTRACT The primary objective of the current study was to compare the pharmacokinetic (PK) of florfenicol (FFL) in pulmonary epithelial lining fluid and the plasma in swine. The second objectives were to evaluate the effect of anesthesia with ketamine and propofol on the PK of FFL in plasma. Bronchoaveolar lavage was utilized for quantification of PELF volume and the urea dilution method was used to determine the concentration of FFL in PELF. FFL was administered intramuscularly (IM) to swine in a single dose of 20mg/kg body weight. The main PK parameters of FFL in plasma and PELF were as follows: the area under the concentration-time curve, maximal drug concentration, elimination half-life and mean residence time were 69.45±4.36 vs 85.03±9.26μg·hr/ml, 4.65±0.34 vs 5.94±0.86μg/ml, 9.87±1.70 vs 10.69±1.60hr and 12.75±0.35 vs 14.46±1.26hr, respectively. There was no statistically significant difference between the PK profiles of FFL for the anesthetized and unanesthetized pigs. This study suggest that (i) FFL penetrated rapidly into the pulmonary and the drug concentration decay faster in plasma than in the pulmonary, (ii) the PK profile of FFL in swine was not interfered after administration of anesthetic agent.

Comparative pharmacokinetics of two florfenicol formulations following intramuscular and subcutaneous administration to sheep

OBJECTIVE To compare the pharmacokinetics of 2 commercial florfenicol formulations following IM and SC administration to sheep. ANIMALS 16 healthy adult mixed-breed sheep. PROCEDURES In a crossover study, sheep were randomly assigned to receive florfenicol formulation A or B at a single dose of 20 mg/kg, IM, or 40 mg/kg, SC. After a 2-week washout period, each sheep was administered the opposite formulation at the same dose and administration route as the initial formulation. Blood samples were collected immediately before and at predetermined times for 24 hours after each florfenicol administration. Plasma florfenicol concentrations were determined by high-performance liquid chromatography. Pharmacokinetic parameters were estimated by noncompartmental methods and compared between the 2 formulations at each dose and route of administration. RESULTS Median maximum plasma concentration, elimination half-life, and area under the concentration-time curve from time 0 to the last quantifiable measurement for florfenicol were 3.76 μg/mL, 13.44 hours, and 24.88 μg•h/mL, respectively, for formulation A and 7.72 μg/mL, 5.98 hours, and 41.53 μg•h/mL, respectively, for formulation B following administration of 20 mg of florfenicol/kg, IM, and 2.63 μg/mL, 12.48 hours, and 31.63 μg•h/mL, respectively, for formulation A and 4.70 μg/mL, 16.60 hours, and 48.32 μg•h/mL, respectively, for formulation B following administration of 40 mg of florfenicol/kg, SC. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE Results indicated that both formulations achieved plasma florfenicol concentrations expected to be therapeutic for respiratory tract disease caused by Mannheimia haemolytica or Pasteurella spp at both doses and administration routes evaluated.

Preparation, characterization, and pharmacokinetics in swine of a florfenicol enteric formulation prepared using hot-melt extrusion technology

The objective of this work was to manufacture an enteric formulation of florfenicol (FF) using hot-melt extrusion (HME) technology and to evaluate its in vitro dissolution and in vivo pharmacokinetics. For the HME process, hypromellose acetate succinate LG (HPMCAS-LG) was the enteric polymer mixed with FF, and the two components were extruded with a standard screw configuration at a speed of 50 rpm. Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), powder X-ray diffraction (PXRD), and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR) were performed to characterize the HME extrudate. The release percentage of the enteric formulation in the acidic stage was <10% of the loaded FF, whereas that in the phosphate buffer stage was >80%. Pharmacokinetic evaluations in swine revealed that the enteric formulation had a longer t_1/2λ and MRT than commercially available FF powder (FULAIKA^® ), indicating that the novel formulation exhibited enteric and sustained release properties. Compared with the commercial product, the relative bioavailability of the enteric formulation reached up to 117.2%. This study suggests that this formulation may have potential for future commercialization.

Pharmacokinetic model of florfenicol in turbot (Scophthalmus maximus): establishment of optimal dosage and administration in medicated feed

The pharmacokinetics of florfenicol (FF) in turbot (Scophthalmus maximus) was studied after single intravenous (10 mg kg^-1 ) and oral (100 mg kg^-1 ) administration. The plasma concentration-time data of florfenicol were described by an open one-compartment model. The elimination half-life (t_1/2 ) was estimated to be 21.0 h, and the total body clearance, Cl, was determined as 0.028 L kg h^-1 . The apparent volume distribution (V_d ) was calculated to be 0.86 L kg^-1 and the mean residence time (MRT_iv ) was 30.2 h. Following oral administration, the maximum plasma concentration (C_max ) of 55.4 μg mL^-1 was reached at 12 h (T_max ). The absorption constant (k_a ) was 0.158 h^-1 . The bioavailability was estimated to be 57.1%. The low bioavailability observed at higher doses was explained by the saturation of the mechanisms of absorption. The drug absorption process was limited by its inherent low solubility, which limited the amount of available FF absorbed in the gastrointestinal tract. Based on the pharmacokinetic data, an optimal dosing schedule for FF administration is hereby provided. Based on the minimum inhibitory concentration found for susceptible strains of Aeromonas salmonicida, oral FF administration of first, an initial dose of 30 mg FF kg^-1 , followed by 6 maintenance doses at 18 mg kg^-1 /daily could be effective against furunculosis in turbot.

Florfenicol induces more severe hemotoxicity and immunotoxicity than equal doses of chloramphenicol and thiamphenicol in Kunming mice

Amphenicols are effective, broad-spectrum antibiotics that function by inhibiting the peptidyl transferase activity of bacteria, while the drugs can also inhibit mitochondrial protein synthesis in eukaryotes through the same mechanism, which leads to multi-organ toxicity. Some side effects of each drug have been studied, while differences in the severity of the hemotoxicities and immunotoxicities of amphenicols have not been reported. Thus, it is important to identify, evaluate, and compare the potential hemotoxicities and immunotoxicities to guide their proper use in humans and animals, which will guarantee food safety and animal welfare. Ovalbumin-immunized Kunming mice were gavaged daily with amphenicols for seven days. Blood samples were collected for hematology analysis, and measuring anti-ovalbumin antibody levels and serum intereukin-2 concentrations. The bone marrow, spleen and thymus were collected for histopathology and apoptosis analyzes. Bone marrow nucleated cells (BMNCs) and splenocytes were harvested to determine their cell cycle stages and to analyze lymphocyte proliferation. The results demonstrated that amphenicols, especially florfenicol (FLO), induced cell cycle arrest and apoptosis of hematopoietic cells, and it changed the bone marrow hematopoietic microenvironment by decreasing the number of peripheral blood cells. Moreover, amphenicols, especially FLO, induced hypoplasia and atrophy of the spleen and thymus, induced cell cycle arrest, as well as splenocyte apoptosis, and decreased the proliferation and viability of lymphocytes and the humoral and cellular immunity of the treated mice. These results suggest that amphenicols induce hemotoxicity and immunotoxicity to some extent, and that FLO induces more severe toxicity than equal doses of chloramphenicol (CAP) and thiamphenicol (TAP).

Plasma and tissue disposition of florfenicol in Escherichia coli lipopolysaccharide-induced endotoxaemic sheep

1. The purpose of this study was to understand the effects of the acute inflammatory response (AIR) induced by Escherichia coli lipopolysaccharide (LPS) on florfenicol (FFC) and FFC-amine (FFC-a) plasma and tissue concentrations. 2. Ten Suffolk Down sheep, 60.5 ± 4.7 kg, were distributed into two experimental groups: group 1 (LPS) treated with three intravenous doses of 1 μg/kg bw of LPS at 24, 16, and 0.75 h (45 min) before FFC treatment; group 2 (Control) was treated with saline solution (SS) in parallel to group 1. An IM dose of 20 mg FFC/kg was administered at 0.75 h after the last injection of LPS or SS. Blood and tissue samples were taken after FFC administration. 3. The plasma AUC_0-4 h values of FFC were higher (p = 0.0313) in sheep treated with LPS (21.8 ± 2.0 μg·min/mL) compared with the control group (12.8 ± 2.3 μg·min/mL). Lipopolysaccharide injections increased FFC concentrations in kidneys, spleen, and brain. Low levels of plasma FFC-a were observed in control sheep (C_max = 0.14 ± 0.01 μg/mL) with a metabolite ratio (MR) of 4.0 ± 0.87%. While in the LPS group, C_max increased slightly (0.25 ± 0.01 μg/mL), and MR decreased to 2.8 ± 0.17%. 4. The changes observed in the plasma and tissue concentrations of FFC were attributed to the pathophysiological effects of LPS on renal hemodynamics that modified tissue distribution and reduced elimination of the drug.

Pharmacokinetics of florfenicol and behaviour of its metabolite florfenicol amine in orange-spotted grouper (Epinephelus coioides) after oral administration

Pharmacokinetics and elimination of florfenicol and florfenicol amine in grouper held in sea water at 23.3 ± 0.8 °C were studied using HPLC method after they were given a single peroral dose of florfenicol at 24 mg kg(-1) body weight. Florfenicol was rapidly absorbed from intestine and distributed extensively to all the tissues examined. The maximum concentrations (Cmax , μg g(-1) or μg mL(-1) ) in plasma and tissues were observed at 2-6 h (the time to reach maximum concentration, Tmax ) except for bile (Tmax  = 24 h) and were in the order of intestine (52.02 ± 25.07) > bile (49.41 ± 28.16) > gill (45.12 ± 11.10) > plasma (28.28 ± 5.43) > liver (21.97 ± 12.08) > muscle (21.63 ± 6.12) > kidney (20.88 ± 11.28) > skin (19.10 ± 5.88). The drug distribution level was higher in plasma than in extravascular tissues except for bile, based on the ratios of the area under concentration-time curve between tissue and plasma (AUCtissue/plasma ). The elimination of florfenicol was rapid in fish, and the corresponding half-lives (T1/2β ) in the order of magnitude were bile (13.92 h) > muscle or liver (12.31 h) > skin (11.77 h) > plasma (11.57) > gill (11.04 h) > intestine (10.55 h) > kidney (10.05 h). The delayed Tmax , lower Cmax and longer T1/2β for florfenicol amine compared with florfenicol were measured in grouper.

Absorption and disposition of florfenicol after intravenous, intramuscular and subcutaneous dosing in alpacas

The objectives of this study were to define disposition and systemic availability of florfenicol in alpacas. Administration of 20 mg/kg doses to 8 male alpacas by i.v., i.m. and s.c. routes was performed by randomized, 3-way crossover design. Clearance and steady state volumes (Vdss) after i.v. injection were 5 ml/min/kg and 775 ml/kg respectively. Mean residence time (MRT) and terminal phase half-life (T1/2λz) were 2.8 h and 2 h respectively. Maximum serum concentrations (Cmax) after i.m. were higher than s.c. administration (p = 0.034). After s.c. dosing, T1/2λz and MRT were greater than after i.m. injection (p < 0.001; p = 0.006 respectively). Mean absorption time (MAT) after s.c. dosing was also prolonged (p = 0.006). Fractional absorption of florfenicol after i.m. and s.c. was not different (p > 0.05). Serum florfenicol concentrations remained >1.0 µg/ml for 20 h after i.m. dosing. Differences in rate and extent of florfenicol absorption after extravascular dosing could influence therapeutic outcomes.

Simultaneous determination of florfenicol with its metabolite based on modified quick, easy, cheap, effective, rugged, and safe sample pretreatment and evaluation of their degradation behavior in agricultural soils

A simple and simultaneous method for the determination of florfenicol and its metabolite florfenicol amine in agricultural soils using modified quick, easy, cheap, effective, rugged, and safe sample pretreatment and reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry is presented. Florfenicol and its metabolite florfenicol amine residues in agricultural soils were extracted with alkalized acetonitrile and an aliquot was cleaned up with Si(CH2)3NH(CH2)2NH2 and C18 sorbent, which were powder materials. High-performance liquid chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry was applied to simultaneously determine the level of florfenicol and florfenicol amine in agricultural soils. Excellent linearity was achieved for florfenicol and florfenicol amine over a range of concentrations from 0.1-500 μg/L with coefficients more than 0.99. Average recoveries at four different levels (0.005, 0.05, 0.5, and 5.0 mg/kg) for florfenicol and florfenicol amine ranged from 73.6-94.9% with relative standard deviations of 2.9-12.5%. The limits of detection for florfenicol and florfenicol amine in agricultural soils were 2.0 μg/kg, and the limits of quantification were 6.0 μg/kg. Based on this method, the degradation behavior of florfenicol and its metabolite florfenicol amine in three soils (Nanchang, Hangzhou, and Changchun) under sterilized and native conditions was investigated and the transformation rate of florfenicol amine from florfenicol was evaluated.

Toxicity to the hematopoietic and lymphoid organs of piglets treated with a therapeutic dose of florfenicol

Florfenicol (FLO) is a broad-spectrum antibacterial agent for treatment of bacteriosis of piglets in veterinary practice. To study the toxicity to the hematopoietic and lymphoid organs of piglets treated with a therapeutic dose of FLO, 20 healthy weaned piglets were selected and randomly divided into two groups. Piglets in the FLO group were fed with fodder supplemented with 30mg/kg BW of FLO twice a day for 10 days. Blood samples were drawn at four time points: 1 day before FLO administration and 1, 7, and 14 days post-withdrawal. Three or four piglets were euthanized at each time point post-withdrawal and tissue samples (bone marrow, thymus and spleen) were collected for fixation and cryostorage. The levels of classical swine fever virus (CSFV) antibody against the vaccine, the concentrations of Hsp70 and IL-6 in serum and Hsp70 in tissues, and the mRNA expression levels of B-cell lymphoma 2 (bcl-2) and tumor suppressor p53 were detected, the hematology of the piglets were analyzed, and the histopathology and the status of apoptosis of the hematopoietic and lymphoid organs was examined. The results showed changes in several indicators in the FLO group 1 day post-withdrawal: the concentration of red blood cells (RBCs) was decreased, and that of platelets (PLTs) was significantly lower (p<0.05); the volumes of RBC and PLT were increased; the sum of blood lymphocytes was statistically decreased (p<0.05); the concentration of IL-6 was significantly increased (p<0.05); the concentrations of Hsp70 in serum and tissues were increased; obvious atrophy of the hematopoietic cell lines and partial replacement by fat cells were observed in bone marrow; thymus and spleen tissues showed lower concentrations and sparser arrangement of lymphocytes in the thymic medulla and white pulp of the spleen respectively; and the mRNA expression levels of bcl-2 in the three tissues were up-regulated, while that of p53 was down-regulated. With time after cessation of FLO administration, the indicators of the FLO group gradually returned to close to that of the control group and the histological lesions of the tissues gradually recovered, and the differences in the densities of lymphocytes and cell arrangements in the tissues between two groups gradually decreased. In conclusion, a therapeutic dose of FLO induces temporary toxicity in the hematopoietic and lymphoid organs of piglets to some extent, and influences hemopoiesis and immune function. These effects gradually decrease after cessation of FLO administration.

Influence of three coccidiostats on the pharmacokinetics of florfenicol in rabbits

In-feed Medication has been used for a long time to prevent coccidiosis, a worldwide protozoal disease in rabbits. Florfenicol (FFC) has been widely used in veterinary clinics for bacterial diseases treatment. Therefore, the use of combinations of coccidiostats with FFC in rabbits is common. In the present study, we aimed to evaluate the effect of three coccidiostats, sulfaquinoxaline (SUL), robenidine (ROB), and toltrazuril (TOL), as feed additives on the pharmacokinetic profile of FFC in rabbits. The disposition kinetics of FFC in rabbits were investigated after a single intravenous injection (25 mg/kg) in rabbits fed anticoccidial-free diets or feeds containing SUL (250 ppm), ROB (66 ppm), or TOL (2 ppm), respectively, for 20 days. Plasma FFC concentrations were determined by the high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) method. The pharmacokinetic parameters of FFC were analyzed using a non-compartmental analysis based on the statistical moment theory. The results demonstrated that ROB feeding resulted in an obvious decrease in plasma FFC level as compared with anticoccidial-free feeding. The terminal elimination half-life (t_1/2z), area under the concentration–time curve (AUC), area under the first moment curve (AUMC), and mean residence time (MRT) significantly decreased, whereas the elimination rate constant (λ_z) and total body clearance (CL_z) obviously increased in rabbits pretreated with ROB. However, we did not find that SUL or TOL feeding had any effect on the pharmacokinetic profile of FFC. Our findings suggested that more attention should be paid to the use of FFC in rabbits supplemented with ROB.

Pharmacokinetics of florfenicol after intravenous administration in Escherichia coli lipopolysaccharide-induced endotoxaemic sheep

Experiments in different animal species have shown that febrile conditions, induced by Escherichia coli lipopolysaccharide (LPS), may alter the pharmacokinetic properties of drugs. The objective was to study the effects of a LPS-induced acute-phase response (APR) model on plasma pharmacokinetics of florfenicol (FFC) after its intravenous administration in sheep. Six adult clinically healthy Suffolk Down sheep, 8 months old and 35.5 ± 2.2 kg in body weight (bw), were distributed through a crossover factorial 2 × 2 design, with 4 weeks of washout. Pairs of sheep similar in body weight were assigned to experimental groups: Group 1 (LPS) was treated with three intravenous doses of 1 μg/kg bw of E. coli LPS before FFC treatment. Group 2 (control) was treated with an equivalent volume of saline solution (SS) at similar intervals as LPS. At 24 h after the first injection of LPS or SS, an intravenous bolus of 20 mg/kg bw of FFC was administered. Blood samples (5 mL) were collected before drug administration and at different times between 0.05 and 48.0 h after treatment. FFC plasma concentrations were determined by liquid chromatography. A noncompartmental pharmacokinetic model was used for data analysis, and data were compared using a Mann-Whitney U-test. The mean values of AUC0-∞ in the endotoxaemic sheep (105.9 ± 14.3 μg·h/mL) were significantly higher (P < 0.05) than values observed in healthy sheep (78.4 ± 5.2 μg·h/mL). The total mean plasma clearance (CLT ) decreased from 257.7 ± 16.9 mL·h/kg in the control group to 198.2 ± 24.1 mL·h/kg in LPS-treated sheep. A significant increase (P < 0.05) in the terminal half-life was observed in the endotoxaemic sheep (16.9 ± 3.8 h) compared to the values observed in healthy sheep (10.4 ± 3.2 h). In conclusion, the APR induced by the intravenous administration of E. coli LPS in sheep produces higher plasma concentrations of FFC due to a decrease in the total body clearance of the drug.

Simultaneous Determination of Florfenicol and Diclazuril in Compound Powder by RP-HPLC-UV Method

A RP-HPLC-UV method was developed and validated for simultaneous determination of florfenicol and diclazuril in compound powder. The separation involved using a SinoChoom ODS-BP C18(5 μm, 4.6 mm × 250 mm) analytical column. The mobile phase was a mixture of acetonitrile-0.2% phosphoric acid (pH was adjusted to 3.0 with triethylamine). The ratio of acetonitrile and 0.2% phosphoric acid in the mobile phase was 60 : 40 (v/v) from 0 minutes to 6 minutes and 70 : 30 (v/v) from 6.1 minutes to 15 minutes. The flow rate was 1 mL/min. The temperature of the analytical column was maintained at 30°C. The detection was monitored at 225 nm and 277 nm for florfenicol and diclazuril, respectively. The excipients in the compound powder did not interfere with the drug peaks. The calibration curves of florfenicol and diclazuril were fairly linear over the concentration ranges between 50.0–500.0 μg/mL (r=0.9995) and 10.0–100.0 μg/mL (r=0.9992), respectively. The RSD of both the intraday and interday variations was below 2.1% for florfenicol and diclazuril. The method was successfully validated according to International Conference on Harmonisation and proved to be suitable for the simultaneous determination of florfenicol and diclazuril in compound powder.

Chronic toxicity of the veterinary antibiotic florfenicol to Daphnia magna assessed at two temperatures

The hypothesis that temperature variation is able to modify the chronic toxicity of the antibiotic florfenicol (FLO) to Daphnia magna was tested in the present study. Twenty-one day laboratory bioassays were carried out at 20 and 25 °C. FLO concentrations and its potential decay during the assays were checked by spectrophotometry. At 20 °C, FLO significantly reduced the D. magna somatic growth (≥1.6 mg/L) and impaired its reproduction (EC₂₀=6.9 mg/L; EC₅₀=7.6 mg/L), with the population growth rate becoming negative at 12.6 mg/L. At 25 °C, the EC values were lower (1.7 and 1.9 mg/L, respectively) than at 20 °C, as well as the lowest exposure concentration causing a negative population growth rate (3.1 mg/L). These results clearly indicate that temperature raise from 20 to 25 °C was able to modify the FLO toxicity. Therefore, more studies on the combined effects of temperature changes and environmental contaminants are needed to improve the basis for ecological risk assessment, environmental and human safety.

Effect of three polyether ionophores on pharmacokinetics of florfenicol in male broilers

Drug-drug interactions (DDIs) may adversely affect the prevention and cure of diseases. The effects of three polyether ionophore antibiotics, salinomycin (SAL), monensin (MON), and maduramycin (MAD) on the pharmacokinetics of florfenicol (FFC) were investigated in broilers. The chickens were fed rations with or without SAL (60 mg/kg feeds), MON (120 mg/kg feeds), or MAD (5 mg/kg feeds) for 14 consecutive days. FFC was given to the chickens either intravenously (i.v.) or orally (p.o.) at a single dose of 30 mg/kg body weight. Blood samples were taken from each chicken at 0-24 h postadministration of FFC. The plasma concentration of FFC was detected by high-performance liquid chromatography. The plasma concentration of FFC decreased with i.v. or p.o. co-administration of SAL, MON, or MAD in broilers, implying occurrence of DDIs during the co-administration of FFC with these ionophores. Our findings suggest that more attention should be given to the use of FFC to treat bacterial infections in chickens supplemented with polyether ionophore antibiotics.

Efficacy and safety of a new 450 mg/ml florfenicol formulation administered intramuscularly in the treatment of bacterial bovine respiratory disease

The objective of the study was the safety and efficacy evaluation of a new 450 mg/ml florfenicol formulation in the treatment of naturally occurring respiratory disease when administered intramuscularly, compared with a positive control group treated with the well-established 300 mg/ml formulation. A total of 174 calves, selected from five sites in France and Spain, aged from 1 to 17 months, showing severe signs of respiratory disease, were randomly assigned to treatment with either the 300 mg/ml (3 ml/45 kg; Nuflor; MSD Animal Health) or 450 mg/ml (2 ml/45 kg; Nuflor Minidose; MSD Animal Health) florfenicol formulation, both administered intramuscularly twice, two days apart. Animals were clinically observed daily for 14 days following treatment initiation. The predominant pathogens present in pretreatment respiratory tract samples were Mannheimia haemolytica and Pasteurella multocida. Mycoplasma bovis and Histophilus somni were also present. All isolates were subjected to in vitro sensitivity testing and found susceptible to florfenicol. In both treatment groups, rectal temperature dropped and clinical index (depression and respiratory signs) significantly improved (P<0.05) after treatment. As a result, 97.7 per cent of the 450 mg/ml florfenicol formulation-treated animals were considered treatment successes on day 5. On day 14, 67.82 per cent of the animals were classified as treatment successes and among them 63.22 per cent were cured. The intramuscular injection of the new 450 mg/ml florfenicol formulation was found equally efficacious as the original 300 mg/ml formulation.