Pharmacokinetics and effects of alfaxalone after intravenous and intramuscular administration to cats

AIMS: To determine the pharmacokinetics, and anaesthetic and sedative effects of alfaxalone after I/V and I/M administration to cats.

METHODS: Six European shorthair cats, three males and three females, with a mean weight of 4.21 (SD 0.53) kg and aged 3.8 (SD 0.9) years were enrolled in this crossover, two–treatment, two-period study. Alfaxalone at a dose of 5?mg/kg was administered either I/V or I/M. Blood samples were collected between 2–480 minutes after drug administration and analysed for concentrations of alfaxalone by HPLC. The plasma concentration-time curves were analysed by non-compartmental analysis. Sedation scores were evaluated between 5–120 minutes after drug administration using a numerical rating scale (from 0–18). Intervals from drug administration to sit, sternal and lateral recumbency during the induction phase, and to head-lift, sternal recumbency and standing position during recovery were recorded.

RESULTS: The mean half-life and mean residence time of alfaxalone were longer after I/M (1.28 (SD 0.21) and 2.09 (SD 0.36) hours, respectively) than after I/V (0.49 (SD 0.07) and 0.66 (SD 0.16) hours, respectively) administration (p<0.05). Bioavailability after I/M injection of alfaxalone was 94.7 (SD 19.8)%. The mean intervals to sternal and lateral recumbency were longer in the I/M (3.73 (SD 1.99) and 6.12 (SD 0.90) minutes, respectively) compared to I/V (0 minutes for all animals) treated cats (p<0.01). Sedation scores indicative of general anaesthesia (scores >15) were recorded from 5–15 minutes after I/V administration and deep sedation (scores 11–15) at 20 and 30 minutes. Deep sedation was observed from 10–45 minutes after I/M administration. One cat from each group showed hyperkinesia during recovery, and the remainder had an uneventful recovery.

CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Alfaxalone administered I/V in cats provides rapid and smooth induction of anaesthesia. After I/M administration, a longer exposure to the drug and an extended half life were obtained compared to I/V administration. Therefore I/M administration of alfaxalone could be a reliable, suitable and easy route in cats, taking into account that alfaxalone has a slower onset of sedation than when given I/V and achieves deep sedation rather than general anaesthesia.     

Clinical and pharmacokinetic characteristics of intracavitary administration of pegylated liposomal encapsulated doxorubicin in dogs with splenic hemangiosarcoma

BACKGROUND: Canine splenic hemangiosarcoma (HSA) is a fatal malignancy, and most affected dogs die within a few months of diagnosis. Most dogs present with signs from tumor rupture, resulting in hemoabdomen and intra-abdominal dissemination. The abdomen is also the main site of disease recurrence. HYPOTHESIS: Intraperitoneal (IP) administration of doxorubicin will delay or prevent intra-abdominal tumor recurrence and prolong survival in dogs with HSA. ANIMALS: Fourteen dogs with splenic HSA. METHODS: A prospective, unmasked, uncontrolled clinical trial. After staging of disease status and splenectomy, pegylated liposomal encapsulated doxorubicin was administered intraperitoneally (1 mg/kg body weight) every 3 weeks for 4 cycles. All dogs were monitored for recurrence of HSA. Samples of plasma and abdominal fluid were collected for measurement of doxorubicin concentration and pharmacokinetic analysis. Nonlinear mixed-effect modeling was used to describe the pharmacokinetics of liposomal doxorubicin administered IP. RESULTS: All 14 dogs died, 12 because of HSA and 2 from other causes. Postmortem examination was performed on 12 dogs. All 12 dogs died because of HSA-related causes and had hepatic metastases and hemoabdomen. The IP-treated dogs had fewer serosal, mesenteric, and omental metastases than historical controls treated with systemic doxorubicin. Results of the postmortem examination and pharmacokinetic analysis confirmed that IP delivery of doxorubicin resulted in an effective drug concentration with a clearance comparable with that after i.v. delivery. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL IMPORTANCE: IP pegylated liposomal encapsulated doxorubicin administration did not prevent intraabdominal recurrence of HSA in dogs.     

Comparative pharmacokinetics of marbofloxacin in healthy and Mannheimia haemolytica infected calves

The pharmacokinetics of marbofloxacin were investigated in healthy (n=8) and Mannheimia haemolytica naturally infected (n=8) Simmental ruminant calves following intravenous (i.v.) and intramuscular (i.m.) administration of 2 mg kg(-1) body weight. The concentration of marbofloxacin in plasma was measured using high performance liquid chromatography with ultraviolet detection. Following i.v. administration of the drug, the elimination half-life (t(1/2 beta)) and mean residence time (MRT) were significantly longer in diseased calves (8.2h; 11.13 h) than in healthy ones (4.6 h; 6.1 h), respectively. The value of total body clearance (CL(B)) was larger in healthy calves (3 ml min(-1) kg(-1)) than in diseased ones (1.3 ml min(-1) kg(-1)). After single intramuscular (i.m.) administration of the drug, the elimination half-life, mean residence time (MRT) and maximum plasma concentration (C(max)) were higher in diseased calves (8.0, 12 h, 2.32 microg ml(-1)) than in healthy ones (4.7, 7.4 h, 1.4 microg ml(-1)), respectively. The plasma concentrations and AUC following administration of the drug by both routes were significantly higher in diseased calves than in healthy ones. Protein binding of Marbofloxacin was not significantly different in healthy and diseased calves. The mean value for MIC of marbofloxacin for M. haemolytica was 0.1+/-0.06 microg ml(-1). The C(max)/MIC and AUC(24)/MIC ratios were significantly higher in diseased calves (13.0-64.4 and 125-618 h) than in healthy calves (8-38.33 and 66.34-328 h). The obtained results for surrogate markers of antimicrobial activity (C(max)/MIC, AUC/MIC and T > or = MIC) indicate the excellent pharmacodynamic characteristics of the drug in diseased calves with M. haemolytica, which can be expected to optimize the clinical efficacy and minimize the development of resistance.     

牙鲆抗菌肽hepcidin基因在成鱼组织和不同发育时期胚胎中的表达分析

抗菌肽hepcidin是由hepcidin基因编码产生的小分子多肽,是机体天然免疫的重要因子。本文利用RT-PCR的方法分析表明,抗菌肽hepcidin基因在牙鲆成鱼不同组织和不同发育时期胚胎中普遍表达,但是表达水平存在着明显的差异。     

牙鲆早期发育和变态期间Pitx2基因的表达(英文)

Pitx2基因被认为是脊椎动物中调节内脏器官左右不对称的关键转录因子。为进一步探讨牙鲆变态期间的左右不对称是否也受Pitx2的左特异活性调节,采用逆转录聚合酶链式反应(RT-PCR),拟在变态的牙鲆的头部组织中克隆编码Pitx2基因的部分cDNA序列,并通过以18s rRNA为内标的半定量RT-PCR研究其在牙鲆早期发育和变态期间的表达情况。克隆和测序的结果表明Pitx2在牙鲆早期发育和变态期间也存在基因表达;而半定量的结果表明它的左特异性功能很可能在变态的早期阶段发挥作用。但是,牙鲆变态期间的右眼移动是否受Pitx2的左特异活性调控,以及变态期间的左右不对称和内脏器官的左右不对称是否拥有相同的分子机制,仍需进一步研究。     

内酯类新抗生素泰拉霉素的研究进展

泰拉霉素是动物专用半合成大环内酯类抗生素,对于防治猪和牛的呼吸系统疾病疗效确切。从泰拉霉素的理化性质、作用机制、抗菌活性、药动学和药效学、急慢性毒性及药物残留等方面进行综述,旨在为该药在兽医临床应用提供参考资料。     

应用Dot-IGS快速检测牙鲆腹水病病原的研究

[目的]建立一种简便快速检测迟钝爱德华氏菌的斑点免疫金染色诊断方法。[方法]选用硝酸纤维素膜作固相载体,以胶体金标记羊抗兔IgG,根据棋盘试验,确定Et免疫血清和金标抗体最佳工作浓度,以出现明显清晰斑点者判定为阳性。[结果]迟钝爱德华氏菌呈阳性,温和气单胞菌、嗜水气单胞菌、河流弧菌、溶藻弧菌、鳗弧菌、腐败希瓦氏菌、产碱普罗威斯登菌、阪崎肠杆菌和大肠杆菌均呈阴性。[结论]Dot—IGS方法简便、特异、快速、结果直观,便于在基层推广使用。     

敌百虫在乌鳢体内和水环境中的代谢动力学及残留研究

[目的]明确敌百虫在水产养殖中的安全性。[方法]全池泼洒0.5 mg/L敌百虫,采用气相色谱法测定敌百虫在乌鳢体内的代谢动力学和残留消除规律。[结果]乌鳢组织和水样中敌百虫的最低检测限为0.02μg/m L。随着时间的延长,敌百虫在乌鳢血液中的浓度逐渐升高,120 h达最高,为0.072 mg/kg,至360 h时未检出。肌肉中12 h内未检出,24 h浓度为0.023 mg/kg,120 h检出最大浓度0.051 mg/kg,至288 h未检出。肝脏8 h未检出,12 h检出浓度为0.026 mg/kg。使用敌百虫后,乌鳢体内的药物残留量均低于我国的兽药最高残留限量要求,但在养殖水体中的残留时间较长,降解半衰期为35.19 h。[结论]为确保敌百虫使用后对水生态环境及食品安全,建议敌百虫使用后的休药期为150℃·d。     

褐牙鲆早期发育阶段CRH基因表达及 受甲状腺激素的影响

[目的]探析褐牙鲆仔鱼早期发育阶段促肾上腺皮质激素释放激素基因(CRH)的表达情况及受甲状腺激素的影响作用,为开展牙鲆的人工繁育提供科学依据.[方法]通过实时荧光定量PCR检测褐牙鲆早期发育阶段CRH基因表达量,以ELISA测定褐牙鲆仔鱼甲状腺激素(T3和T4)水平,并测定经外源T3浸泡处理后早期发育褐牙鲆仔鱼CRH基因表达量的变化情况,探究CRH和甲状腺激素在褐牙鲆早期发育阶段的影响及作用关系.[结果]1~8日龄褐牙鲆仔鱼CRH基因相对表达量呈先升高后降低的变化趋势,在5日龄达最高值,显著高于其他日龄的仔鱼(P<0.05,下同).10~42日龄褐牙鲆仔鱼CRH基因主要在其头部表达,尾部CRH基因的相对表达量随着生长发育的进程而逐渐增加.褐牙鲆仔鱼变态前期甲状腺激素T4含量逐渐增加,变态高峰期迅速升高,在变态后期呈下降趋势.较其他早期发育时期,甲状腺激素T3在褐牙鲆变态期维持高水平,但含量低于甲状腺激素T4.22日龄褐牙鲆仔鱼经50 nmol/L外源T3处理2 h后,其头部和尾部CRH基因的相对表达量显著升高;但以外源T3处理8 h后,无论是头部还是尾部,CRH基因的相对表达量均呈显著下降趋势.[结论]褐牙鲆早期变态发育需CRH基因高表达及甲状腺激素积累,二者对褐牙鲆早期变态发育阶段具有重要作用并呈互相代偿效应.