A physiologically based pharmacokinetic model for quinoxaline‐2‐carboxylic acid in rats,extrapolation to pigs

A multi‐compartment physiologically based pharmacokinetic (PBPK) model to describe the disposition of cyadox (CYX) and its metabolite quinoxaline‐2‐carboxylic acid (QCA) after a single oral administration was developed in rats (200 mg/kg b.w. of CYX). Considering interspecies differences in physiology and physiochemistry, the model efficiency was validated by pharmacokinetic data set in swine. The model included six compartments that were blood, muscle, liver, kidney, adipose, and a combined compartment for the rest of tissues. The model was parameterized using rat plasma and tissue concentration data that were generated from this study. Model simulations were achieved using a commercially available software program (ACSLX_Libero version 3.0.2.1). Results supported the validity of the model with simulated tissue concentrations within the range of the observations. The correlation coefficients of the predicted and experimentally determined values for plasma, liver, kidney, adipose, and muscles in rats were 0.98, 0.98, 0.98, 0.99, and 0.95, respectively. The rat model parameters were then extrapolated to pigs to estimate QCA disposition in tissues and validated by tissue concentration of QCA in swine. The correlation coefficients between the predicted and observed values were over 0.90. This model could provide a foundation for developing more reliable pig models once more data are available.     

A physiologically based pharmacokinetics model for florfenicol in crucian carp and oral‐to‐intramuscular extrapolation

Yang, F., Sun, N., Sun, Y. X., Shan, Q., Zhao, H. Y., Zeng, D. P., Zeng, Z. L. A physiologically based pharmacokinetics model for florfenicol in crucian carp and oral‐to‐intramuscular extrapolation. J. vet. Pharmacol. Therap.  36 , 192–200. In this study, an oral physiologically based pharmacokinetics (PBPK) model was developed for florfenicol in crucian carp (Carassius auratus). Subsequently, oral‐to‐intramuscular extrapolation was performed and the two models were used to predict florfenicol concentrations in the edible tissues of crucian carp. The oral model gave good predictions in most tissues, except for kidney and liver in which the florfenicol concentrations were underestimated at the later time points. In contrast, using the intramuscular model, the concentrations in the kidney were overestimated at the later time points. Both models had the best predictive ability in the main edible tissue, the muscle. The oral model also accurately predicted the florfenicol concentrations in the muscle after multiple doses. The present study demonstrated the feasibility of predicting florfenicol concentrations in the edible tissues of crucian carp using a route‐to‐route extrapolation method.     

A physiologically based pharmacokinetic model for valnemulin in rats and extrapolation to pigs

A flow-limited, physiologically based pharmacokinetic (PBPK) model for predicting the plasma and tissue concentrations of valnemulin after a single oral administration to rats was developed, and then the data were extrapolated to pigs so as to predict withdrawal interval in edible tissues. Blood/tissue pharmacokinetic data and blood/tissue partition coefficients for valnemulin in rats and pigs were collected experimentally. Absorption, distribution and elimination of the drug were characterized by a set of mass-balance equations. Model simulations were achieved using a commercially available software program. The rat PBPK model better predicted plasma and tissue concentrations. The correlation coefficients of the predicted and experimentally determined values for plasma, liver, kidney, lung and muscle were 0.96, 0.94, 0.96, 0.91 and 0.91, respectively. The rat model parameters were extrapolated to pigs to estimate valnemulin residue withdrawal interval in edible tissues. Correlation (R(2) ) between predicted and observed liver, kidney and muscle were 0.95, 0.97 and 0.99, respectively. Based on liver tissue residue profiles, the pig model estimated a withdrawal interval of 10 h under a multiple oral dosing schedule (5.0 mg/kg, twice daily for 7.5 days). PBPK models, such as this one, provide evidence of the usefulness in interspecies PK data extrapolation over a range of dosing scenarios and can be used to predict withdrawal interval in pigs.     

Diffusion‐limited PBPK model for predicting pulmonary pharmacokinetics of florfenicol in pig

For most bacterial lung infections, the concentration of unbound antimicrobial agent in lung interstitial fluid has been thought to be responsible for antimicrobial efficacy. In this study, a diffusion‐limited physiologically based pharmacokinetic (PBPK) model was developed to predict the pulmonary pharmacokinetics of florfenicol (FF) in pigs. The model included separate compartments corresponding to blood, diffusion‐limited lung, flow‐limited muscle, liver, and kidney and an extra compartment representing the remaining carcass. The absorption rate constant and renal and hepatic clearance of FF were determined in vivo. Other parameters were taken from the literature or optimized based on existing pharmacokinetic data. All mathematical operations during the development of the model were performed using acslXtreme version 3.0.2.1 (Aegis Technologies Group, Inc., Huntsville, AL, USA). The model accurately predicted the concentration–time courses of FF in lung interstitial fluid, serum, and plasma following different dosing schedules, except at the dose of 15 mg/kg. When compared with the tissue residue data, the model generally underestimated the FF concentration at the injection site, whereas it gave good predictions of FF concentrations in lung, liver, and kidney at early time points. The model predictions provide a scientific basis for the dosage regimen design of FF.     

Mathematical modeling and simulation in animal health – Part II: principles,methods, applications,and value of physiologically based pharmacokinetic modeling in veterinary medicine and food safety assessment

This review provides a tutorial for individuals interested in quantitative veterinary pharmacology and toxicology and offers a basis for establishing guidelines for physiologically based pharmacokinetic (PBPK) model development and application in veterinary medicine. This is important as the application of PBPK modeling in veterinary medicine has evolved over the past two decades. PBPK models can be used to predict drug tissue residues and withdrawal times in food‐producing animals, to estimate chemical concentrations at the site of action and target organ toxicity to aid risk assessment of environmental contaminants and/or drugs in both domestic animals and wildlife, as well as to help design therapeutic regimens for veterinary drugs. This review provides a comprehensive summary of PBPK modeling principles, model development methodology, and the current applications in veterinary medicine, with a focus on predictions of drug tissue residues and withdrawal times in food‐producing animals. The advantages and disadvantages of PBPK modeling compared to other pharmacokinetic modeling approaches (i.e., classical compartmental/noncompartmental modeling, nonlinear mixed‐effects modeling, and interspecies allometric scaling) are further presented. The review finally discusses contemporary challenges and our perspectives on model documentation, evaluation criteria, quality improvement, and offers solutions to increase model acceptance and applications in veterinary pharmacology and toxicology.     

Expression analysis of an α‐1, 3‐galactosyltransferase,an enzyme that creates xenotransplantation‐related α–Gal epitope,in pig preimplantation embryos

α‐1,3‐Galactosyltransferase (α‐GalT), an enzyme creating Galα1‐3Gal (α‐Gal) epitope on the cell surface in some mammalian species such as pigs, is known to be a key factor that causes hyperacute rejection upon transplantation from pigs to humans. To establish the RNA interference‐based suppression of endogenous α‐GalT messenger RNA (mRNA) synthesis in porcine preimplantation embryos, we determined the suitable embryonic stage at which stage such approach is possible by using the semi‐quantitative RT‐PCR (qRT‐PCR) and the cytochemical method using a fluorescence‐labeled Bandeiraea simplicifolia Isolectin B₄ (BS‐I‐B₄). Staining with BS‐I‐B₄ demonstrated that α‐Gal epitope expression was first recognized at the 8‐cell stage, and increased up to the hatched blastocyst stage. Single embryo‐based qRT‐PCR also confirmed this pattern. These results indicate that creation of α‐Gal epitope is proceeded by de novo synthesis of α‐GalT mRNA in porcine preimplantation embryos with peaking at the blastocyst stage.     

Nucleotide sequence polymorphisms of beta1‐, beta2‐, and beta3‐adrenergic receptor genes on Jinhua,Meishan, Duroc and Landrace pigs

The full amino acid coding sequences of adrenergic receptor genes beta1, beta2, and beta3 (ADRB1, ADRB2, and ADRB3)were determined for Jinhua, Meishan, Duroc and Landrace pigs. Non‐synonymous substitution of Arg458Pro was found in the porcine ADRB1 gene, resulting in a 469 amino acid sequence. Continuous substitutions of Asn29Asp and Glu30Gln were found in the porcine ADRB2 gene, resulting in a 418 amino acid sequence. Additionally, a Lys30 polymorphism of the ADRB2 gene was found in the Jinhua pigs. There were three non‐synonymous substitutions of Asn24Thr, Arg264Gln and Asn398Asp on the porcine ADRB3 gene. A thymine insertion in the ADRB3 gene, resulting in a protein with two fewer amino acids, was found in the Jinhua and Meishan pigs. To assess the effect of ADRB polymorphisms on porcine subcutaneous fat layer thickness, we calculated the genetic frequency of the variants in fatty and lean groups, each consisting of 24 pigs that were crossbreds of Duroc and Jinhua pigs. The effect of the ADRB3 gene polymorphism was not evaluated, because there was insufficient variation on the ADRB3 gene in the examined groups. Although Fisher's exact test showed no significant difference in the frequency of ADRB1 and ADBR2 variants between the two groups, the Arg458 variant of ADRB1 was higher (P = 0.11) in the lean group, and pigs in that group had a thinner fat layer than did those with the Pro458 variant. These results imply a possibility of ADRB1 polymorphism as a minor factor in porcine fat layer thickness. The Asp29 variant of ADRB2 was higher in the lean group (P = 0.11), and the Glu30 variant was higher in the fatty group (P = 0.15), but the Asp29 variant was found only in the Chinese pigs. Thus, the effect of ADRB2 polymorphisms was not clear in this study.     

A PBPK model for midazolam in four avian species

A physiologically based pharmacokinetic (PBPK) model was developed for midazolam in the chicken and extended to three other species. Physiological parameters included organ weights obtained from 10 birds of each species and blood flows obtained from the literature. Partition coefficients for midazolam in tissues vs. plasma were estimated from drug residue data obtained at slaughter. The avian models include separate compartments for venous plasma, liver, kidney, muscle, fat and all other tissues. An estimate of total body clearance from an earlier in vitro study was used as a starting value in the model, assuming almost complete removal of the parent compound by liver metabolism. The model was optimized for the chicken with plasma and tissue data from a pharmacokinetic study after intravenous midazolam (5 mg/kg) dose. To determine which parameters had the most influence on the goodness of fit, a sensitivity analysis was performed. The optimized chicken model was then modified for the turkey, pheasant and quail. The models were validated with midazolam plasma and tissue residue data in the turkey, pheasant and quail. The PBPK models in the turkey, pheasant and quail provided good predictions of the observed tissue residues in each species, in particular for liver and kidney.     

Chronic exposure to the mycotoxin T‐2 promotes oral absorption of chlortetracycline in pigs

The aim of this study was to investigate whether T‐2 toxin, a potent Fusarium mycotoxin, affects the oral absorption of the antibiotic chlortetracycline in pigs. Animals were allocated to blank feed without T‐2 toxin (controls), feed containing 111 μg T‐2/kg feed, T‐2‐contaminated feed supplemented with a yeast‐derived feed additive, or blank feed supplemented solely with the feed additive, respectively. After 21 days, an intragastric bolus of chlortetracycline was given to assess potential alterations in the pharmacokinetics of this commonly used antibiotic. A significantly higher area under the plasma concentration–time curve and maximal plasma concentration of chlortetracycline was observed after intake of T‐2‐contaminated feed compared with control. Thus, exposure to T‐2‐contaminated feed can influence the oral bioavailability of chlortetracycline. This effect could have consequences for the withdrawal time of the drug and the occurrence of undesirable residues in edible tissues.     

Development of a multiroute physiologically based pharmacokinetic model for orbifloxacin in rabbits

To predict the orbifloxacin concentrations in rabbits after multiple routes of administration, a flow‐limited multiroute physiologically based pharmacokinetic (PBPK) model was developed. Three routes of administration (IV, IM, and PO) were incorporated into this model. Physiological parameters including tissue weights and blood flows through different tissues were obtained from the literature. The tissue/plasma partition coefficients (P_Xs) for noneliminating tissues were calculated according to the area method, while the P_Xs for kidney and the rest of the body compartment, together with other parameters for absorption and elimination, were optimized based on the published concentrations. The comparisons between predicted and observed orbifloxacin concentrations proved its validity, and the present model predicted available concentration data well, including those in liver, kidney, muscle, lung, heart, and plasma after oral, intravenous, or intramuscular administration. A local sensitivity analysis was also performed, which showed that the parameters for oral absorption were most influential on the orbifloxacin concentrations. This model was used to predict plasma and tissue concentrations after multiple oral or intramuscular administration. This study demonstrated the feasibility of predicting drug residues in minor species after multiple routes of administration in the extra‐label manner using the PBPK modeling.     

高效液相色谱-串联质谱法检测猪、鸡可食性组织中喹嗯啉类兽药残留标示物

为检测猪、鸡可食性组织中喹噁啉类兽药残留标示物喹噁啉-2-羧酸(QCA)和3-甲基喹噁啉-2-羧酸(MQ-CA),建立了同时检测这2种残留标示物的高效液相色谱-串联质谱法.将样品碱水解,乙酸乙酯等液-液萃取,65℃氮气吹干,甲醇:0.5%甲酸水溶液(30:70)溶解,0.45μm微孔滤膜过滤后,采用高效液相色谱-串联质谱分析.结果显示,猪、鸡可食性组织中喹噁啉类兽药残留标示物MQCA和QCA检测限为0.2～0034μg/kg和0.5～0.9μg/kg,定量限为0.5～0.61μg/kg和0.77～1.31μg/kg.相对回收率在90.07%～106.8%范围内,日内变异系数≤13.69%.日间变异系数≤15.43%.MQCA和QCA在2～100μg/kg范围内具有较好的线性关系(r~2>0.99).结果表明,本方法简单、灵敏度高.适用于猪、鸡可食性组织中喹噁啉类兽药残留标示物的定量检测.     

High‐sensitivity detection of short‐chain fatty acids in porcine ileal,cecal, portal and abdominal blood by gas chromatography‐mass spectrometry

Short‐chain fatty acids (SCFA), such as acetate, propionate and n‐butyrate, are the main end‐products of fermentation in the large intestine. SCFA are rapidly absorbed from the large intestinal mucosa to provide energy to the host. In this study, high‐sensitivity detection of SCFA was demonstrated in blood using the gas chromatometry with mass spectrometry (GC‐MS). Few studies have measured SCFA in porcine blood. Therefore, SCFA concentrations in the ileal (IV), cecal (CV), portal (PV) and abdominal (AV) vein blood, urine (Ur) and saliva (Sa) were measured by GC‐MS. All body fluids were collected from four 5‐month‐old pigs. Cecal (CD) and ileal (ID) digesta, and cecal (CM) and ileal (IM) mucosa were also collected and their corresponding SCFA concentrations were measured using ion‐exclusion high‐performance liquid chromatography. GC‐MS analyses were successful to determine the SCFA concentrations in the porcine body fluids. n‐Butyrate concentration was surprisingly high in CV and its proportion remained higher in CV than that in CD and CM. Acetate showed a constantly high proportion in all porcine body fluids. Propionate was detected at a relatively high proportion in CV, IV and PV, but was low in AV.     

Typing of Yersinia Enterocolitica Isolates by ITS Profiling,REP‐ and ERIC‐PCR

Thirty‐five Yersinia enterocolitica strains isolated from humans, pigs and foxes were analysed by genotyping including intergenic transcribed sequence (ITS) profiling, REP‐ and ERIC‐PCR. ERIC‐PCR revealed the presence of seven different genotypes. Amplification of the 16S‐23S rDNA spacer region by ITS profiling gave similar results with nine different genotypes. REP‐PCR was found to be more discriminatory for typing of Y. enterocolitica than ERIC‐PCR and ITS profiling. Fifteen different DNA patterns were obtained by this technique. Based on data obtained by three methods it was found that: (i) Y. enterocolitica strains belonging to the same serotype can represent different genotypes and vice versa; (ii) isolates recovered from humans, pigs and foxes exhibit limited heterogeneity and, independent of the origin, one or two prevailing genotypes were always observed; and (iii) many human Y. enterocolitica isolates shared common genotypes with porcine isolates.     

磺胺二甲嘧啶生理药动学模型种间类推的应用

本研究应用磺胺二甲嘧啶在猪的生理药动学模型来预测其在绵羊体内的动力学过程。利用文献中已经建立的猪的生理模型,采用动物种间类推原理,将模型外推至绵羊,模拟磺胺二甲嘧啶在绵羊体内的血药和组织浓度,并估算可食性组织残留休药期。结果模拟休药期和文献休药期基本趋于一致,表明生理药动学模型种间类推是可行的。     

The expression of VEGF,myoglobin and CRP2 proteins regulating endometrial remodeling in the porcine endometrial tissues during follicular and luteal phase

Endometrial remodeling is important for successful embryo development and implantation in pigs. Therefore, this study investigated change of proteins regulating endometrial remodeling on follicular and luteal phase in porcine endometrial tissues. The endometrial tissue samples were collected from porcine uterus during follicular and luteal phase, vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), myoglobin and cysteine‐rich protein 2 (CRP2) proteins were expressed by immnofluorescence, immunoblotting, and determined by 2‐DE and MALDI‐TOF/MS. We found that VEGF, myoglobin and CRP2 were strongly localized in endometrial tissues during luteal phase, but not follicular phase. The protein levels of VEGF, myoglobin and CRP2 in endometrial tissues were higher than luteal phase (P < 0.05). These results may provide understanding of intrauterine environment during estrous cycle in pigs, and will be used in animal reproduction for developing specific biomarkers in the future.     

Identification and examination of a novel 9‐bp insert/deletion polymorphism on porcine SFTPA1 exon 2 associated with acute lung injury using an oleic acid‐acute lung injury model

The pulmonary surfactant‐associated protein (SFTPA1, SP‐A) gene has been studied as a candidate gene for lung disease resistance in humans and livestock. The objective of the present study was to identify polymorphisms of the porcine SFTPA1 gene coding region and its association with acute lung injury (ALI). Through DNA sequencing and the PCR‐single‐strand conformation polymorphism method, a novel 9‐bp nucleotide insertion (+) or deletion (‐) was detected on exon 2 of SFTPA1, which causes a change in three amino acids, namely, alanine (Ala), glycine (Gly) and proline (Pro). Individuals of three genotypes (?/?, +/? and +/+) were divided into equal groups from 60 Rongchang pigs that were genotyped. These pigs were selected for participation in the oleic acid (OA)‐ALI model by 1‐h and 3‐h injections of OA, and there were equal numbers of pigs in the control and injection groups. The lung water content, a marker for acute lung injury, was measured in this study; there is a significant correlation between high lung water content and the presence of the 9‐bp indel polymorphism (P < 0.01). The lung water content of the OA injection group was markedly higher than that of the control group and lung water content for the +/+ genotype was significantly higher than that of the others in the 1‐h group (P < 0.01). No differences in the expression of the SFTPA1 gene were found among individuals with different SFTPA1 genotypes, indicating that the trait is not caused by a linked polymorphism causing altered expression of the gene. The individuals with the ?/? genotype showed lower lung water content than the +/+ genotype pigs, which suggests that polymorphism could be a potential marker for lung disease‐resistant pig breeding and that pig can be a potential animal model for human lung disease resistance in future studies.     

盐酸沃尼妙林预混剂在猪组织中残留消除规律研究

建立了猪肝脏、肾脏、肌肉和脂肪中盐酸沃尼妙林的高效液相色谱检测方法并研究盐酸沃尼妙林预混剂在猪体内各组织中的残留消除规律。对24头健康猪以200mg/kg的剂量混饲给药21d。在停药后0、6、12、18、24、36h分别宰杀4头猪,采集各组织进行药物残留测定。方法的检测限为0.025～0.062 5μg/g,定量限为0.05～0.1μg/g,肝脏的平均回收率为75.5%～76.4%,变异系数为2.3%～3.8%;肾脏的平均回收率为75.8%～78.5%,变异系数为4.1%～6.0%;肌肉的平均回收率为79.3%～80.0%,变异系数为3.0%～4.7%;脂肪的平均回收率为76.7%～77.3%,变异系数为3.3%～5.4%。结果表明,盐酸沃尼妙林在肝脏中残留量最高,肾脏其次;肌肉和脂肪中的残留量显著低于肝脏和肾脏,停药24h时,残留量低于定量限;停药36h时残留量均低至检测限以下。盐酸沃尼妙林预混剂在猪组织中消除迅速,建议休药期为2d。     

Hepatic Ethoxy‐, Methoxy‐ and Pentoxyresorufin O‐Dealkylase Activities in Landrace and Duroc Pigs Stimulated with hCG

The effect of human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) stimulation on the activities of ethoxyresorufin O‐deethylase (EROD), methoxyresorufin O‐demethylase (MROD) and pentoxyresorufin O‐depentylase (PROD) was studied in intact male pigs of purebred Landrace and Duroc breeds. Pigs were divided into four groups: two control groups of each breed, without hCG stimulation (n = 20 for each breed), and two experimental groups (n = 18 for each breed), with hCG stimulation (Pregnyl^®; N.V. Organon, Oss, The Netherlands, 30 IU/kg live weight). Pigs were slaughtered 3 days after hCG stimulation and enzyme activities were measured in hepatic microsomes using two approaches. First, only one substrate concentration was used for the analysis of each enzyme activity. We found that EROD activity was suppressed by hCG‐stimulation in Landrace (p = 0.004), but not Duroc pigs (p > 0.05). Generally, EROD activity was higher in Duroc pigs compared with Landrace (p = 0.017). Methoxyresorufin O‐demethylase and PROD activities did not differ between groups (p > 0.05). To further characterize EROD, MROD and PROD, enzyme kinetic studies were performed. V_max values for EROD and MROD in both breeds were lower after hCG stimuation (p < 0.001 for Landrace and p < 0.05 for Duroc). Additionally, V_max values for EROD significantly differed between Landrace and Duroc pigs being higher in Duroc pigs (p < 0.05). We concluded that both hCG stimulation and breed differences may be important in the regulation of EROD and MROD activities. This study provides the first data on the effect of hCG stimulation and thus high testicular steroids, on EROD, MROD and PROD activities. Further studies are needed to investigate individual CYP450 enzymes and their regulation in porcine tissues.     

Vitrification procedure decreases inositol 1,4,5‐trisphophate receptor expression,resulting in low fertility of pig oocytes

Although cryopreservation of mammalian oocytes is an important technology, it is well known that unfertilized oocytes, especially in pigs, are highly sensitive to low temperature and that cryopreserved oocytes show low fertility and developmental ability. The aim of the present study was to clarify why porcine in vitro matured (IVM) oocytes at the metaphase II (MII) stage showed low fertility and developmental ability after vitrification. In vitro matured cumulus oocyte complexes (COCs) were vitrified with Cryotop and then evaluated for fertility through in vitro fertilization (IVF). Although sperm‐penetrated oocytes were observed to some extent (30–40%), the rate of pronuclear formation was low (9%) and none of them progressed to the two‐cell stage. The results suggest that activation ability of cryopreserved oocytes was decreased by vitrification. We examined the localization and expression level of the type 1 inositol 1,4,5 trisphosphate receptor (IP₃R1), the channel responsible for Ca²⁺ release during IVF in porcine oocytes. Localization of IP₃R1 close to the plasma membrane and total expression level of IP₃R1 protein were both decreased by vitrification. In conclusion, our present study indicates that vitrified‐warmed porcine COCs showed a high survival rate but low fertility after IVF. This low fertility seems to be due to the decrease in IP₃R1 by the vitrification procedure.