Determination and pharmacokinetics study of oxyclozanide suspension in cattle by LC-MS/MS.

BACKGROUND: Oxyclozanide is an anthelmintic drug that is widely used to treat fasciolosis. However, the pharmacokinetics of oxyclozanide in cattle are not yet clearly understood. The present study was designed to develop a sensitive method to determine oxyclozanide levels in cattle plasma using high-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (HPLC-MS/MS) and to study its pharmacokinetics for application in cattle. RESULTS: A simple and rapid HPLC-MS/MS analytical method was established and validated to quantify oxyclozanide levels in cattle plasma using niclosamide as the internal standard (IS) in negative ion mode. Chromatographic separation of the analytes was achieved using a C18 analytical column (75 × 4.6 mm, 2.7 µm) at 30 °C. The mobile phase comprised 0.01% v/v acetic acid (HOAc) diluted in water:acetonitrile (MeCN) (90:10% v/v) and 5 mM ammonium formate in methanol (MeOH):MeCN (75:25, v/v) at a 10:90 ratio (v/v) and was delivered at a flow rate of 0.4 mL min- 1. A good linear response across the concentration range of 0.02048-25.600 µg/mL was achieved (r2 = 0.994). The method was validated with respect to linearity, matrix effect, accuracy, precision, recovery and stability. The lower limit of quantification (LLOQ) was 0.020 µg/mL, and the extraction recovery was > 98% for oxyclozanide. The inter- and intra-day accuracy and precision of the method showed the relative standard deviation (RSD) less than 10%. The method was successfully applied to an assessment of the pharmacokinetics of oxyclozanide in cattle plasma. In healthy cattle, a single oral dose of an oxyclozanide suspension followed the one-compartment model, with a half-life (T1/2) of 64.40 ± 30.18 h, a plasma clearance rate (CL/F) of 11.426 ± 2.442 mL/h/kg, and an average area under the curve (AUC) of 965.608 ± 220.097 h*µg/mL. The peak concentration (Cmax) was 15.870 ± 2.855 µg/mL, which occurred at a peak time (Tmax) = 22.032 ± 3.343 h. CONCLUSIONS: A reliable, accurate HPLC-MS/MS analytical method was established in our study and successful applied to study the pharmacokinetics of oxyclozanide in cattle plasma. These results will be useful for further evaluations of the pharmacokinetic properties of oxyclozanide or for monitoring therapeutic drugs in animals.

Pooled Population Pharmacokinetic Analysis of Tribendimidine for the Treatment of Opisthorchis viverrini Infections.

Opisthorchiasis, caused by the foodborne trematode Opisthorchis viverrini, affects more than 8 million people in Southeast Asia. In the framework of a phase 2b clinical trial conducted in Lao People's Democratic Republic, pharmacokinetic samples were obtained from 125 adult and adolescent O. viverrini-infected patients treated with 400 mg tribendimidine following the design of a sparse sampling scheme at 20 min and 2, 7.75, 8, and 30 h after treatment using dried blood spot sampling. Pharmacokinetic data for the metabolites deacetylated amidantel (dADT) and acetylated dADT (adADT) were pooled with data from two previous ascending-dose trials and evaluated using nonlinear mixed-effects modeling. The observed pharmacokinetic data were described using a flexible transit absorption model for the active metabolite dADT, followed by one-compartment disposition models for both metabolites. Significant covariates were age, body weight, formulation, and breaking of the enteric coating on the tablets. There were significant associations between O. viverrini cure and both the dADT maximum concentration and the area under the concentration-time curve (P < 0.001), with younger age being associated with a higher probability of cure. Modeling and simulation of exposures in patients with different weight and age combinations showed that an oral single dose of 400 mg tribendimidine attained therapeutic success in over 90% of adult patients. Our data confirmed that tribendimidine could be a valuable novel alternative to the standard treatment, praziquantel, for the treatment of O. viverrini infections.

Physicochemical Properties and Anti-Opisthorchosis Effect of Mechanochemically Synthesized Solid Compositions of Praziquantel with Glycyrrhizic Acid Disodium Salt.

The mechanochemical preparation of solid compositions of praziquantel with plant saponin (glycyrrhizic acid disodium salt) is described. The study of a number of physicochemical parameters showed that dissolving solid compositions in water is accompanied by the inclusion of praziquantel molecules into micelles, which are formed in the solution of the glycyrrhizic acid disodium salt. Using the opisthorchiasis model caused by Opisthorchis felineus, we found a 4- to 11-fold increase in the anthelmintic activity of praziquantel in the composition as compared to the official praziquantel. According to the pharmacokinetic data, the use of the composition increased the bioavailability of praziquantel 3 times.

Preparation and Characterization of Amylose Inclusion Complexes for Drug Delivery Applications.

Amylose complexes with nimesulide (NMS) and praziquantel (PZQ) were prepared by a simple and low cost method, so that high yield (>57%) and drug content (up to 68.16%) were achieved. The influence of drug:polymer ratio, temperature, and presence of palmitic acid on the complexes properties was evaluated. Differential scanning calorimetry, X-ray diffraction, and nuclear magnetic resonance data evidenced the drug-polymer interaction and the formation of inclusion complexes with semi-crystalline structures related to type II complexes. The drug release rates from complexes were lowered in acid media (pH 1.2) and phosphate buffer (pH 6.9). The presence of pancreatin promoted a significant acceleration of the release rates of both drugs, evidencing the enzymatic degradability of these complexes. The highest enzymatic resistance of PZQ1:30PA60°C complex makes the release time longer and the full release of PZQ in phosphate buffer with pancreatin occurred at 240 min, whereas the complexes with NMS and PZQ1:5PA90°C did it in 60 min. According to the Weibull model, the drug release process in media without enzyme occurred by complex mechanisms involving diffusion, swelling, and erosion. In media containing pancreatin, generally, the better correlation was with the first order, evidencing the acceleration of the release rates of drugs in the early stages of the test, due to enzymatic degradation.

Effects of triclabendazole on secretion of danofloxacin and moxidectin into the milk of sheep: role of triclabendazole metabolites as inhibitors of the ruminant ABCG2 transporter.

ATP-binding cassette transporter G2/breast cancer resistance protein (ABCG2/BCRP) mediates drug-drug interactions that affect the secretion of drugs into milk. The aims of this study were: (1) to determine whether the major plasma metabolites of the flukicide triclabendazole (TCBZ), triclabendazole sulfoxide (TCBZSO) and triclabendazole sulfone (TCBZSO2), inhibit ovine and bovine ABCG2 and its Y581S variant in vitro, and (2) to examine whether coadministration of TCBZ with the ABCG2 substrates danofloxacin (a fluoroquinolone) and moxidectin (a milbemycin) affects the secretion of these drugs into the milk of sheep. TCBZSO and TCBZSO2 inhibited ruminant ABCG2 in vitro by reversing the reduced mitoxantrone accumulation and reducing basal to apical transport of nitrofurantoin in cells transduced with bovine variants (S581 and Y581) and the ovine variant of ABCG2. Coadministration of TCBZ with moxidectin or danofloxacin to sheep resulted in significantly reduced levels of moxidectin, but not danofloxacin, in the milk of TCBZ-treated sheep compared to sheep administered moxidectin or danofloxacin alone. The milk area under concentration time curve (AUC 0-48 h) was 2.99±1.41 µg h/mL in the group treated with TCBZ and moxidectin, and 7.75±3.58 µg h/mL in the group treated with moxidectin alone. The AUC (0-48 h) milk/plasma ratio was 37% lower in the group treated with TCBZ and moxidectin (7.34±1.51) than in the group treated with moxidectin alone (11.68±3.61). TCBZ metabolites appear to inhibit ruminant ABCG2 and affect the secretion of ABCG2 substrates into milk of sheep.

Development and validation of a liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry method for pharmacokinetic studies of OZ78, a fasciocidal drug candidate.

Fascioliasis is a zoonotic disease of considerable public health and great veterinary significance and new drugs are needed. OZ78 is a promising fasciocidal drug candidate. In order to support the development of OZ78, including pharmacokinetic (PK) studies an accurate, precise, and selective liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry (LC/MS) method for OZ78 was developed for sheep plasma and validated in accordance with the US Food and Drug Administration Guidance on Bioanalytical Method Validation. Protein precipitation was used for sample clean up. Separation was performed through a Phenomenex C8(2) analytical column (50.0mm×2.0mm, 5µm) with a mobile phase of acetonitrile (buffer B) and 5mM ammonium formate (buffer A) at a flow-rate of 0.3mL/min and a gradient from 20% to 95% acetonitrile. The mass spectrometer was operated under selected ion monitoring, and orifice voltage set to -4.1kV and ion spray temperature to 400°C. Nitrogen was used as a nebulizer, curtain, and collision gas. OZ78 was monitored at 321.4m/z (deprotonated parent compound, M-). The validated linear dynamic range was between 156.25ng/mL and 5µg/mL and the achieved correlation coefficient (r(2)) was greater than 0.99. The validation results demonstrated that the developed LC/MS method is precise, accurate, and selective for the determination of OZ78 in sheep plasma. The method was successfully applied to the evaluation of the PK profile of OZ78 in sheep.

Pharmacokinetic behavior in sheep and cattle of 5-chloro-2-(methylthio)-6-(1-naphthyloxy)-1H-benzimidazole, a new fasciolicide agent.

The physicochemical properties, pK(a), Log P and solubility of compound alpha, (5-chloro-2-(methylthio)-6-(1-naphthyloxy)-1H-benzimidazole), a new fasciolicide agent, were characterized using conventional methods. Also, its pharmacokinetics was evaluated in sheep and cattle. In both species an oral dose of 12 mg/kg was administered. Blood samples were collected during 144 h and analyzed by using an HPLC assay. Results showed that compound alpha is a weak base with a pK(a) value of 2.87 and log P of 1.44. The solubility was very low in aqueous solvents. Pharmacokinetic studies showed that in both species compound alpha could not be detected at any sampling time. The mean half-life (t(1/2)) values of alpha sulphoxide in sheep and cattle were 19.86 and 29.87 h, while the half-life values of alpha sulphone were 19.43 and 46.32 h respectively. C(max) values of alpha sulphoxide did not differ between species while alpha sulphone values were higher in cattle. Plasma protein binding of alpha sulphoxide was between 82% and 86%. These results, combined with the previous efficacy studies, suggest that compound alpha could be a promising fasciolicide agent.

Enhancement the oral bioavailability of praziquantel by incorporation into solid lipid nanoparticles.

The aim of this study was to assess the feasibility of solid lipid nanoparticles (SLN) to enhance the oral bioavailability of praziquantel (PZQ). SLN loaded with PZQ were produced by ultrasound technique. The characteristics of PZQ-SLN were studied in detail. The concentration of PZQ in plasma was determined using reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography after oral administration of PZQ-SLN and control PZQ tablets (PZQ-TAB) in rats respectively. The results showed that PZQ-SLN had an average diameter 110 nm with Zeta potential of -66.3 mV. The encapsulation efficiency of PZQ was about 80%. In vitro drug release fitted the Weibull distribution equation. There were two peaks in the PZQ concentration-time curves in plasma after oral administration of PZQ-SLN. The first peak might be caused by free drug and that adsorbed onto the surface of PZQ-SLN. The second peak was indicative of gut uptake of PZQ-SLN. The AUC(0-infinity) value of PZQ after oral administration of SLN was 4.1 fold higher than that obtained with the PZQ-TAB. The MRT of PZQ-SLN was also significantly enhanced, resulting in an about twofold increase compared with PZQ-TAB. Thus, the oral bioavailability of PZQ-SLN increased significantly compared to PZQ-TAB, and the results indicate that SLN can be a promising drug carrier for PZQ.

Transdermal delivery of praziquantel: effects of solvents on permeation across rabbit skin.

To explore a new method for the transdermal delivery of praziquantel (PZQ), the effects of solvents on permeation across rabbit skin were investigated. The solubility of PZQ in five different solvents, ethylene glycol monophenyl ether (EGPE), 1,4-dioxane, tetrahydrofuran, dimethyl sulfoxide, and oleic acid, were measured with a UV-Vis spectrophotometer. The determination of the n-octanol/water partition coefficient of PZQ in the five different solutions and assay of serum concentration following PZQ transdermal administration in rabbits were performed using HPLC. The results indicated that the transdermal absorption of the drug was related to the partition coefficient and lipophilic characteristics of the solvent. The optimal solvent for PZQ transdermal delivery was EGPE in our protocol. The solubility of PZQ in EGPE is >400 mg/ml, and the apparent partition coefficient of PZQ in the solution is 0.895 (log P value). After transdermal administration of PZQ in EGPE solution, the bioavailability is 2.85-fold that after oral administration. The serum drug concentration was maintained at 4.0 mug/ml over 4 h, which is sufficient for the treatment of schistosomiasis. At the same time, no apparent side effects were found on the skin. EGPE may thus be a promising vehicle for the transdermal delivery of PZQ in the future.

Comparative pharmacokinetics of ivermectin alone and a novel formulation of ivermectin and rafoxanide in calves and sheep.

This study investigated the comparative serum disposition kinetics of ivermectin (IVM) after a single subcutaneous dose of 200 microg/kg body weight of IVM alone or in combination with an anthelmintic consisting of ivermectin and rafoxanide (200 microg/kg of IVM and 2.5 mg/kg rafoxanide) for use in calves and sheep. The IVM concentrations in serum samples were analyzed by high-performance liquid chromatography with fluorescence detection. In sheep serum, rafoxanide induced a rapid absorption of IVM when given in combined form manifested by a shorter absorption half-life time of IVM by 68.49% when given in combination as compared with IVM when given alone. In addition, there is an increase in the value of the area under the concentration curve (AUC) by 15.48% while the value of elimination rate constant was decreased by 38.2% and significantly increased the half-life time of elimination from 2.04 days for IVM alone to 3.3 days when given in combination with rafoxanide. In calves serum, the mean t1/2ab for IVM/rafoxanide was 0.131 days and for the control formulation 0.16 days, and t1/2el was 5.78 and 4.95, respectively. IVM Cmax for IVM/rafoxanide was 22.4 ng/ml and for the control formulation 19.1 ng/ml. T (max) values were 0.99 and 1.12 days, and the mean AUC values were 188.9 and 165.4 ng/ml/day. The difference in Cmax, AUC, Kab, K el, and t1/2el was significant. However, there was no statistical difference between the Tmax and t1/2ab. These findings revealed that the combination of rafoxanide with IVM in sheep and calves increased the absorption of IVM and delayed its elimination.

Simultaneous determination of albendazole metabolites, praziquantel and its metabolite in plasma by high-performance liquid chromatography-electrospray mass spectrometry.

The analysis of albendazole sulfoxide, albendazole sulfone, praziquantel and trans-4-hydroxypraziquantel in plasma was carried out by high-performance liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry ((LC-MS-MS). The plasma samples were prepared by liquid-liquid extraction using dichloromethane as extracting solvent. The partial HPLC resolution of drug and metabolites was obtained using a cyanopropyl column and a mobile phase consisting of methanol:water (3:7, v/v) plus 0.5% of acetic acid, at a flow rate of 1.0 mL/min. Multi reaction monitoring detection was performed by electrospray ionization in the positive ion mode, conferring additional selectivity to the method. Method validation showed relative standard deviation (precision) and relative errors (accuracy) lower than 15% for all analytes evaluated. The quantification limit was 5 ng/mL and the linear range was 5-2500 ng/mL for all analytes. The method was used for the determination of drug and metabolites in swine plasma samples and proved to be suitable for pharmacokinetic studies.

[Concentration in plasma and excretion in milk of lactating cows after oral administration of tribromsalan, oxyclozanide and bromofenofos].

The fasciolicides tribromsalan (TBS), oxyclozanide (OCZ) and bromofenofos (BFF) were orally administered to three lactating cows. The concentrations of TBS, OCZ and the BFF metabolite dephosphate bromofenofos (DBFF) in plasma, and the excretion of these compounds in milk were determined by high-performance liquid chromatography. In plasma, the concentrations of TBS, OCZ and DBFF reached maximum at about 1.0 day and the compounds remained detectable until 5.7, 7.4 and 15.1 days after administration, respectively. The detection limits of these compounds in plasma were 10, 2 and 2 ppb, respectively. In milk, the concentrations of TBS, OCZ and DBFF reached maximum at about 24 hours and the compounds remained detectable until 30-47, 30-47 and 78-119 hours after administration, respectively. The detection limits of these compounds in milk were 5.1 and 1 ppb, respectively. The residence times of TBS and BFF were very close to the withdrawal times of the fasciolicides.

A scanning electron microscope study on the route of entry of clorsulon into the liver fluke, Fasciola hepatica.

Three experiments were carried out in vitro to determine the roles of the tegument and gut of Fasciola hepatica in the uptake of the flukicidal drug, clorsulon. Changes to the two surfaces were assessed by scanning electron microscopy. In the first experiment, the flukes were ligatured to prevent the oral ingestion of drug and treated for 24 h in clorsulon (10 microg/ml). The gastrodermal surface remained normal and few changes to the tegumental surface were observed. In the second experiment, flukes were fed for 24 h on red blood cells isolated from rats dosed with clorsulon at 12.5 mg/kg body weight; this experiment was designed to prevent the exposure of the tegumental surface to the drug. The gastrodermal surface was severely disrupted and the gut lamellae were disorganised and necrotic. Swelling of the tegument and blebbing on the tegumental surface were evident, but the changes were not severe. More severe swelling of the tegument was observed in the third experiment, in which flukes were incubated for 24 h in clorsulon (10 microg/ml), with both absorptive surfaces being available for drug uptake. The gastrodermal surface was badly disrupted and the gut lamellae were disorganised and necrotic. Taking the results of the three experiments together, the gastrodermal surface was more affected than the tegument and the greatest disruption to the two surfaces was seen when both routes of entry were available to the fluke. The data support a previous study which indicated that entry of clorsulon into the fluke in vivo is principally by the oral ingestion of drug bound to the red blood cells.

The research on biotransformation of praziquantel.

Praziquantel (PZQ), a broad spectrum antihelmintic drug, is extensively metabolized in the liver, yielding mainly monohydroxylated and dihydroxylated phase-I-metabolites. However, the exact chemical structures of the most metabolites are still unknown. In the presented research, three types of PZQ biotransformations were performed: biotransformation with the whole cells of Saccharomyces cerevisiae, with cytochrome c from Saccharomyces cerevisiae and with microsomes isolated from Saccharomyces cerevisiae. To describe the obtained metabolites TLC, RP-TLC, and HPLC were used.

Bioavailability of praziquantel increases with concomitant administration of food.

In the present study we found that after a single oral dose of 1,800 mg of praziquantel, following a high-lipid diet and a high-carbohydrate diet, the maximum levels in plasma increased 243 and 515% and the area under the plasma concentration curve from 0 to 8 h increased 180 and 271%, respectively.

Enantioselective analysis of praziquantel in plasma samples.

A direct enantioselective high-performance liquid chromatography method is described for the quantitative determination of praziquantel enantiomers in plasma samples. The method involves two-step extraction of plasma with toluene, evaporation of the solvent and chromatography on a Chiralcel OD-H column using hexane-ethanol (85:15, v/v) as the mobile phase and detection at 220 nm. The assay satisfies all of the criteria required for use in clinical pharmacokinetic studies.

Pharmacokinetic study of praziquantel administered alone and in combination with cimetidine in a single-day therapeutic regimen.

A brief therapeutic regimen of praziquantel, reduced to a single day, has been effective for treatment of neurocysticercosis. To study its pharmacokinetic characteristics, levels of praziquantel in plasma were determined for eight healthy volunteers after the administration of three oral doses of 25 mg/kg of body weight given at 2-h intervals, alone and with the simultaneous administration of cimetidine. Each volunteer received both regimens in a randomized crossover design. Blood samples were taken during a period of 12 h, and praziquantel concentration was measured by high-performance liquid chromatography. Levels of praziquantel in plasma remained above 300 ng/ml during a period of 12 h; they increased 100% when cimetidine was jointly administered. Compared with other regimens, the high levels obtained and the longer duration of action seem to be advantageous in prolonging the exposure of the parasites to the drug and support previous clinical experience showing that the treatment of neurocysticercosis with praziquantel can be reduced from 2 weeks to 1 day with the drug still retaining its cysticidal properties. Moreover, simultaneous administration of praziquantel and cimetidine could improve further the efficacy of the single-day therapy for cysticercosis and other parasitic diseases, such as schistosomiasis.

Effect of diet on the excretion profile of ivermectin in cattle faeces.

Two groups of 26 cattle (cross-bred, 3-8 years old, weight 450-650 kg) were placed onto 2 feed regimens, pasture-fed and grain-fed. The pasture-fed cattle were kept on irrigated pasture with hay supplement ad libitum, whereas the grain-fed cattle were kept in a feedlot and fed hay and lupin grain in a 40:60 ratio. Half the cattle within each feed group (n = 13) were given a subcutaneous injection of ivermectin (Ivomec) at the dose rate of 200 micrograms/kg liveweight. Over 5 times higher levels of ivermectin were excreted in the faeces of grain-fed cattle compared with pasture-fed (grazing) cattle. Peak excretion levels of 0.36 mg/kg (grain-fed) and 0.09 mg/kg (pasture-fed) of ivermectin were recorded at 6 and 8 days post-injection (dpi), respectively. Ivermectin was detected in faeces for up to 13 dpi (grain-fed) and 14 dpi (pasture-fed). Faecal pH in grain-fed cattle was more acidic (6.43) compared with pasture-fed cattle (7.28) and the levels of nitrogen in faeces from grain-fed cattle were higher (0.42%) compared with pasture-fed cattle (0.20%). Treatment with ivermectin had no influence on either the pH or nitrogen levels of faeces from either feed regimen. The impact of diet on the excretion profile of ivermectin is discussed in the context of studies attempting to demonstrate ecotoxic effects of ivermectin residues in cattle faeces on dung beetles.

Differences in the oral bioavailability of three rafoxanide formulations in sheep.

The bioavailability of a modified rafoxanide oral suspension was compared to the original innovator product and a generic formulation in a single dose, randomised, parallel design study in sheep (n = 30). The area under the rafoxanide plasma concentration versus time curve (AUC), AUC extrapolated to infinity, and maximum plasma rafoxanide concentrations (Cmax), were used to compare the extent of absorption of the formulations. All 3 parameters were significantly (p < or = 0.01) smaller for both the modified and generic formulations relative to the original product. There were no significant (p > 0.05) differences between the modified and generic formulations. The mean point ratio % of the modified to original and modified to generic formulations for the 3 parameters were 36.4%, 35%, 45.9% and 70.9%, 70%, 79.7%, respectively. In terms of the calculated 90% confidence t-intervals of the mean % ratios, the modified and generic formulations were not bioequivalent to the original product, since they were substantially below the accepted range of 80-125%. No significant differences (p > 0.05) were noted for the time to Cmax and Cmax/AUC, both measurements of rate of absorption. A lag period before absorption of rafoxanide for all formulations of c 5 h was observed. The differences in oral bioavailability of rafoxanide and related anthelmintic formulations have implications for the efficacy and registration of generic products.