Pharmacokinetic profiles of 5 mg/kg ibudilast, a phosphodiesterase inhibitor, orally administered to dogs in fasted and non-fasted states. A preliminary study

Ibudilast (AV-411) is a non-selective inhibitor of cyclic nucleotide phosphodiesterase (PDE). It is currently marketed for human use in Asian countries for the treatment of asthma, cerebrovascular disorders and ocular allergies. Ibudilast has also been found to have an analgesic action for neuropathic pain at doses 5-10 times higher than those used in asthma therapy. Six healthy Labrador dogs were randomly assigned to two treatment groups using an open, single-dose, two-treatment, two-phase, cross-over design (2x2 Latin-square). Dogs in group 1 (n=3) were fasted for at least 10 hours overnight before the beginning of the experiment and 4 h following dosing while dogs in group 2 (n=3) received food ad libitum. During the first phase, each dog in group 1 and 2 received a single dose of 5 mg/kg ibudilast administered orally. After 1-week washout period the groups were rotated and the experiment was repeated. The analytical method, validated for dog plasma, was shown to be linear in the range 0.10-20 μg/mL. The limit of detection (LOD) and quantification (LOQ) were 0.03 and 0.1 μg/mL, respectively. No behavioural or health alterations were observed in the animals during or after the study. Ibudilast was detectable in plasma for up to 24 h showing a wide variability between animals. Although no statistically significant differences were observed in the present study between the fed and fasted states, examination of the raw data suggests that an effect may be present. The wide degree of variation observed in area under the curve (AUC) suggests that the investigation of population pharmacokinetic modelling is warranted.

Pharmacokinetics of tapentadol in laying hens and its residues in eggs after multiple oral dose administration

1. The aim of the study was to evaluate the pharmacokinetics (PKs) of tapentadol (TAP), a novel opioid analgesic, in laying hens after intravenous (IV) and oral (PO) administration and to quantify the concentrations of TAP residues in eggs. 2. Twenty healthy laying hens were divided into three groups: A (n = 6), B (n = 6) and C (n = 8). The study was conducted in two phases. Groups A and B received TAP by IV and PO routes at the dose of 1 and 5 mg/kg, respectively. 3. No visible adverse effects were observed after administration of the drug. TAP plasma concentrations were detectable up to 4 h following administration. Following IV administration, TAP plasma concentrations were only higher than the minimal effective concentration (148 ng/ml) reported for humans for 1 h. After single PO administration, plasma concentrations of TAP would not conform to software algorithms and the PK parameters were not calculated. TAP concentration following multiple PO doses at 5 mg/kg for 5 d was found to be higher and more persistent (12 h vs. 7 h) in yolk compared with albumen. 4. This is the first PK study on the novel atypical opioid TAP in laying hens. Further studies are required to investigate the analgesic efficacy and actual effective plasma concentration of TAP in this species.

Pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic evaluation of grapiprant in a carrageenan-induced inflammatory pain model in the rabbit

Grapiprant is the novel selective EP4 receptor inhibitor recently issued on the veterinary market for dogs affected by osteoarthritis. The aim of this study was twofold: to evaluate the pharmacokinetics and the pharmacodynamics of grapiprant in the induced inflammatory pain model in the rabbit after a single IV injection of 2 mg/kg; to compare the thermal antinociception effect after 2 mg/kg IV grapiprant, with that generated by 0.5 mg/kg meloxicam SC injected. Rabbits (n = 12) were randomly assigned to two crossover studies (single-dose, two-period crossover). The first study group A (n = 3) received a single IV dose of grapiprant at 2 mg/kg dissolved in ethanol. Group B (n = 3) received a single IV injection of ethanol (equivalent volume to grapiprant volume) at the same site. The second study group C (n = 3) received a single SC dose of meloxicam at 0.5 mg/kg. Group D (n = 3) received a single SC injection of 15% ethanol (equivalent volume to grapiprant volume) at the same site. After a 2-week washout period, the groups were rotated and the experiments repeated. Blood samples (0.7 mL) were collected from the right ear artery at assigned times and grapiprant plasma concentrations determined by a validated HPLC-FL method. Three hours prior to administration of the drugs, inflammation was induced by SC injection of lambda carrageenan (200 μL, 3% in physiological saline) under the plantar surface of the right hind paw. At a similar time to the blood collection, an infrared thermal stimuli (40 °C) was applied to the plantar surface of the rabbits' hindlimbs to evaluate the thermal withdrawal latency (TWL). The thermal antinociceptive effect was expressed as maximum possible response (% MPR). Grapiprant plasma concentrations were detectable up to the 10-h time point (concentration range 17-7495 ng/mL). The grapiprant-treated group showed a significant increase in TWL from 1 h and up to 10 h after drug administration compared to the control. In contrast, the meloxicam group showed a significant increase in TWL from 4 up to 10 h after drug administration, compared to control. The maximal MPR% was not statistically different between the grapiprant and meloxicam group from 4 to 8 h, while significant differences were shown at 1, 1.5, 2, 10 and 24 h. Given these findings, grapiprant appears to be an attractive option for antinociception in rabbits, due to its rapid onset and extended duration of effect.

Pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic evaluations of a 10 mg/kg enrofloxacin intramuscular administration in bearded dragons (Pogona vitticeps): a preliminary assessment

Enrofloxacin (E) is commonly used in veterinary medicine. It is necessary to perform pharmacokinetic/dynamic studies to minimize the selection of resistant mutants of bacteria and extend the efficacy of antimicrobial agents. Eight healthy adult Pogona vitticeps were assigned into two groups of equal size and treated with a single intramuscular injection of E at 10 mg/kg. Blood samples were withdrawn at different scheduled times for each group, and rectal swabs were collected. E and ciprofloxacin (active metabolite) blood concentrations were quantified by an HPLC validated method, while the in vitro antimicrobial susceptibility was evaluated by the Kirby-Bauer disc diffusion susceptibility test. The pharmacokinetic profiles of E gave similar pharmacokinetic parameters irrespective of the collection time schedule. Bacteria isolation showed the presence of both E. coli, Salmonella enterica subspecies enterica and subspecies 3a, Proteus spp., and Pseudomonas spp. The majority of isolated colonies were sensitive to E, but the treatment did not reduce the number of bacteria in faeces. Results suggest that E is able to reach blood concentrations high enough to kill susceptible bacteria (MIC < 0.9 μg/mL), but at the same time does not significantly affect intestinal bacteria.

Pharmacokinetics and disposition of flupirtine in the horse

Flupirtine (FLU) is a non-opioid analgesic drug, with no antipyretic or anti-inflammatory effects, used in the treatment of a wide range of pain states in human beings. It does not induce the side effects associated with the classical drugs used as pain relievers. The aim of this study was to evaluate the pharmacokinetic profiles of FLU after IV and PO administration in healthy horses. Six mixed breed adult mares were randomly assigned to two treatment groups using an open, single-dose, two-treatment, two-phase, paired, cross-over design (2 × 2 Latin-square). Group 1 (n = 3) received a single dose of 1 mg/kg of FLU injected IV into the jugular vein. Group 2 (n = 3) received FLU (5 mg/kg) via nasogastric tube. The animals then swapped groups after a 1-week wash-out period and the doses were repeated. Blood samples (5 mL) were collected at 0.25, 0.5, 0.75, 1, 1.5, 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 24, 36 and 48 h and plasma was then analysed by a validated HPLC method. Some mild and transient adverse effects (that spontaneously resolved within 5 min) were observed in 2/6 animals after IV administration. No adverse effects were noticed in the PO administration group. After IV and PO administrations, FLU was detectable in plasma for up to 36 h. The mean elimination half-life was longer after PO (10.27 h) than after IV (3.02 h) administration. The oral bioavailability was 71.4 ± 33.1%. After compartmental simulation/modelling, an oral dose of 2.6 mg/kg was calculated to give Cmax and AUC values in horses similar to those reported in humans after a clinical dose administration with a theoretical FLU effective plasma concentration of 187 ng/mL. These findings may form the basis for further studies concerning this active ingredient in equine medicine.

Pharmacokinetic profiles of the analgesic drug flupirtine in cats

Flupirtine (FLU) is a non-opioid analgesic drug with no antipyretic or antiphlogistic effects, used in the treatment of a wide range of pain states in human beings. There is a substantial body of evidence on the efficacy of FLU in humans but this is inadequate to recommend its off-label use in veterinary clinical practice. The aim of this study was to evaluate the pharmacokinetic profiles of FLU after IV and PO administration in healthy cats. Six mixed breed adult cats were randomly assigned to two treatment groups using an open, single-dose, two-treatment, two-phase, paired, cross-over design (2 × 2 Latin-square). Group 1 (n  =  3) received a single dose of 5 mg/kg of FLU injected IV into the jugular vein. Group 2 (n  =  3) received the same dose via PO route. The wash out period was 1 week. Blood samples (1 mL) were collected at assigned times and plasma was then analysed by a validated HPLC method. No adverse effects at the point of injection and no behavioural changes or alterations in health parameters were observed in the animals during or after the study (up to 7 days after the full study). After IV administration, FLU was detectable in plasma up to 36 h. After PO administration, FLU plasma concentrations were lower than those following IV administration, but they were detectable over the same time range. The terminal part of both mean pharmacokinetic curves showed a similar trend of elimination. The oral bioavailability was approximately 40%. This is the first study of FLU in an animal species of veterinary interest and it could pave the way for the use of this active ingredient in the veterinary field.