Sulfadiazine pharmacokinetics in grass carp (Ctenopharyngodon idellus) receiving oral and intravenous administrations

This study aimed to examine the bioavailability (BA) and pharmacokinetic (PK) characteristics of sulfadiazine (SDZ) in grass carp (Ctenopharyngodon idellus) after oral and intravenous administrations. Blood samples were collected at predetermined time points of 0.083, 0.17, 0.5, 1, 2, 4, 8, 16, 24, 48, 72, and 96 hr (n = 6). The samples were extracted and purified by organic reagents and determined by the ultra‐performance liquid chromatography. The software named 3P97 was used to calculate relevant PK parameters. The results demonstrated that the concentration–time profile of SDZ was best described by a one‐compartmental open model with first‐order absorption after a single oral dose. The main PK parameters of the absorption rate constant (K_α), the absorption half‐life (t_{1/2 Kα}), the elimination rate constant (K_e), the elimination half‐life (t_1/2Ke), and the area under concentration–time profile (AUC_0‐∞) were 0.3 1/h, 2.29 hr, 0.039 1/h, 17.64 hr, and 855.78 mg.h/L, respectively. Following intravenous administration, the concentration–time curve fitted to a two‐compartmental open model without absorption. The primary PK parameters of the distribution rate constant (α), the elimination rate constant (β), the distribution half‐life (t_1/2α), the elimination half‐life (t_1/2β), the apparent distribution volume (V_SS), the total clearance (CL), and AUC_0‐∞ were 9.62 1/hr, 0.039 1/hr, 0.072 hr, 17.71 hr, 0.33 L/kg, 0.013 L h^?1 kg^?1, and 386.23 mg.h/L, respectively. Finally, the BA was calculated to be 22.16%. Overall, this study will provide some fundamental information on PK properties in the development of a new formulation SDZ in the future and is partially beneficial for the appropriate usage of SDZ in aquaculture.