Pharmacodynamics, chiral pharmacokinetics and PK-PD modelling of ketoprofen in the goat

Pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic modeling of ketoprofen and flunixin at piglet castration and tail-docking

This study performed population‐pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic (pop‐PK/PD) modeling of ketoprofen and flunixin in piglets undergoing routine castration and tail‐docking, utilizing previously published data. Six‐day‐old male piglets (8/group) received either ketoprofen (3.0 mg/kg) or flunixin (2.2 mg/kg) intramuscularly. Two hours post‐dose, piglets were castrated and tail docked. Inhibitory indirect response models were developed utilizing plasma cortisol or interstitial fluid prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) concentration data. Plasma IC50 for ketoprofen utilizing PGE2 as a biomarker was 1.2 μg/ml, and ED50 for was 5.83 mg/kg. The ED50 calculated using cortisol was 4.36 mg/kg; however, the IC50 was high, at 2.56 μg/ml. A large degree of inter‐individual variability (124.08%) was also associated with the cortisol IC50 following ketoprofen administration. IC50 for flunixin utilizing cortisol as a biomarker was 0.06 μg/ml, and ED50 was 0.51 mg/kg. The results show that the currently marketed doses of ketoprofen (3.0 mg/kg) and flunixin (2.2 mg/kg) correspond to drug responses of 33.97% (ketoprofen‐PGE2), 40.75% (ketoprofen‐cortisol), and 81.05% (flunixin‐cortisol) of the maximal possible responses. Given this information, flunixin may be the best NSAID to use in mitigating castration and tail‐docking pain at the current label dose.

The Surface Area to Volume Ratio Changes the Pharmacokinetic and Pharmacodynamic Parameters in the Subcutaneous Tissue Cage Model: As Illustrated by Carprofen in Sheep

Introduction

Pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic models can be powerful tools for predicting outcomes. Many models are based on repetitive sampling of the vascular space, due to the simplicity of obtaining samples. As many drugs do not exert their effect in the vasculature, models have been developed to sample tissues outside the bloodstream. Tissue cages are hollow devices implanted subcutaneously, or elsewhere, that are filled with fluid allowing repetitive sampling to occur. The physical dimensions of the cage, namely, the diffusible surface area to volume ratio, would be expected to change the rate of drug movement into and out of tissue cages.

Methods

Seven sheep were implanted with five pairs of tissue cages, subcutaneously. Each pair of cages had a different length but a fixed diffusible surface area, so the surface area to volume ratio differed. Carrageenan was injected into half of the cages in each animal during one sampling period in a cross-over design. Samples from each cage and the bloodstream were obtained at 14-time points during two sampling periods. The concentration of carprofen was measured using LC–MS/MS and the results were modeled using nonlinear mixed-effects techniques. Prostaglandin metabolites were also measured and the change over time was analyzed using linear mixed effect modeling.

Results

The presence of carrageenan within an animal changed the systemic pharmacokinetics of carprofen. The rate of drug movement into and out of the tissue cages varied with the surface area to volume ratio. The concentration time curve for prostaglandin metabolites changed with cage size.

Conclusion

The surface area volume ratio of tissue cages will influence the calculated pharmacokinetic parameters and may affect calculated pharmacodynamics, thus, it is an important factor to consider when using tissue cage data for dosing regimes.

Comparison of Flunixin Meglumine, Meloxicam and Ketoprofen on Mild Visceral Post-Operative Pain in Horses

Simple Summary

Pain management following surgical intervention is key. In horses, several anti-inflammatories (flunixin meglumine, meloxicam and ketoprofen) are available for the management of pain following castration. However, their analgesic efficacy remains unclear for mild visceral pain. The aim of this study was to compare the analgesic efficacy of the above-mentioned anti-inflammatory drugs, following a simple surgery (inguinal castration). Horses were administered a randomly assigned anti-inflammatory drug before and after surgery. A pain score was recorded using a previously described pain assessment scale (PASPAS) before administration, and after the first and second administrations by a senior clinician and a veterinary student. Thirty horses were evaluated, and there was no significant effect of the drug administered on the pain score. Horse welfare was not compromised regardless of drug assigned. Horses showed mild pain post-operatively, which decreased significantly within 24 h. Pain scores were significantly different when assessed by a veterinary student and a senior clinician. The authors found that the anti-inflammatory drug studied provided a similar level of analgesia for the management of mild visceral pain in horses, but that the pain scale used is not suitable for junior evaluators or, by extension, owners.

Abstract

The analgesic efficacy of meloxicam and ketoprofen against equine visceral pain is unclear. The aim of this study was to compare the analgesic efficacy of meloxicam (M) and ketoprofen (K) to flunixin meglumine (F) following inguinal castration. Horses undergoing inguinal castration under general anesthesia were randomly assigned F (1.1 mg/kg), M (0.6 mg/kg) or K (2.2 mg/kg) intravenously two hours pre-operatively and 24 h later. A pain score (out of 31) was recorded blindly by a senior clinician and veterinary student before NSAIDs administration (T₀), and after the first (T₁) and second (T₂) administrations, using a modified post-abdominal surgery pain assessment scale (PASPAS). Pain was classified as mild (score ≤ 7), moderate (score = 8–14) or severe (score > 14). Thirty horses (12 F, 10 M, 8 K) aged 6.2 ± 4.9 years, mostly warmbloods, were included. Horse welfare was not compromised regardless of the drug assigned. There was no statistically significant effect of NSAIDs on pain score. Mean pain scores were significantly higher at T₁ than T₀ for each NSAID (F: 5.08 ± 2.50 vs. 1.58 ± 1.38 (p < 0.001); M: 4.60 ± 2.32 vs. 1.10 ± 1.20 (p < 0.001); K: 5.25 ± 1.39 vs. 1.50 ± 1.51 (p < 0.0001)) and lower at T₂ than T₁ for F (2.92 ± 2.423 vs. 5.08 ± 2.50 (p < 0.001)) and M (2.90 ± 1.37 vs. 4.60 ± 2.32 (p < 0.0325)). At T₁, senior pain scores were significantly different than for junior (5.56 ± 0.54 vs. 3.22 ± 0.62, p = 0.005). This study indicates that meloxicam and ketoprofen provide a similar level of analgesia to flunixin meglumine for the management of mild visceral pain in horses. PASPAS is not reliable for junior evaluators.

Influence of Pyrexia on Pharmacokinetics of Azithromycin and Its Interaction With Tolfenamic Acid in Goats

Azithromycin is a macrolide antimicrobial agent of the azalide group with a broad spectrum of activity against gram-negative and gram-positive bacterial organisms. Tolfenamic acid is a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug of the fenamate group, which is used extensively in humans and animals due to its anti-inflammatory, analgesic, and antipyretic properties. There is dearth of literature on any type of drug interaction between azithromycin and tolfenamic acid in any species, including human beings and alteration of its pharmacokinetics by fever. Therefore, the objective of this study was to investigate the alteration of disposition kinetics of azithromycin alone and in the presence of tolfenamic acid in Malabari goats by fever, following an intravenous administration at a dose rate of 20 mg/kg body weight. Blood samples collected from both afebrile and febrile goats at predetermined time intervals after the administration of azithromycin alone and then in combination with tolfenamic acid (2 mg/kg, intravenously), respectively, were analyzed using high-performance liquid chromatography. Non-compartmental analysis was used to determine the peak blood concentration (C max), time-to-peak plasma concentration (T max), half-life (t 1/2λz ), area under the curve (AUC 0-t, AUC 0-inf), area under the first moment curve (AUMC 0-inf), mean residence time (MRT0-inf), apparent volume of distribution at steady state (V ss), and the total body clearance of drug from the blood (Cl). In febrile animals, significant differences were noted in the values of C max, Cl, and V ss. Thus, azithromycin disappears into an additional compartment in febrile goats, which may be due to its extended cellular penetration into the inflammatory cells, resulting in anti-inflammatory activity. Tolfenamic acid significantly altered the pharmacokinetics of azithromycin in both normal and febrile animals. Tolfenamic acid, being a better anti-inflammatory agent, suppresses the inflammatory mediators, reducing the possibility of increased utilization of azithromycin in febrile condition.

Analgesia for Sheep in Commercial Production: Where to Next?

Simple Summary

Increasing societal and customer pressure to provide animals with ‘a life worth living’ continues to apply pressure on industry to alleviate pain associated with husbandry practices, injury and illness. Although a number of analgesic solutions are now available for sheep, providing some amelioration of the acute pain responses, this review has highlighted a number of potential areas for further research.

Abstract

Increasing societal and customer pressure to provide animals with ‘a life worth living’ continues to apply pressure on livestock production industries to alleviate pain associated with husbandry practices, injury and illness. Over the past 15–20 years, there has been considerable research effort to understand and develop mitigation strategies for painful husbandry procedures in sheep, leading to the successful launch of analgesic approaches specific to sheep in a number of countries. However, even with multi-modal approaches to analgesia, using both local anaesthetic and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAID), pain is not obliterated, and the challenge of pain mitigation and phasing out of painful husbandry practices remains. It is timely to review and reflect on progress to date in order to strategically focus on the most important challenges, and the avenues which offer the greatest potential to be incorporated into industry practice in a process of continuous improvement. A structured, systematic literature search was carried out, incorporating peer-reviewed scientific literature in the period 2000–2019. An enormous volume of research is underway, testament to the fact that we have not solved the pain and analgesia challenge for any species, including our own. This review has highlighted a number of potential areas for further research.

Effect of oral KETOPROFEN treatment in acute respiratory disease outbreaks in finishing pigs

Background

Infection with respiratory pathogens can influence production as well as animal welfare. There is an economical and ethical need to treat pigs that suffer from respiratory diseases. Our aim was the evaluation of the possible effects of oral NSAID medication given in feed in acute outbreaks of respiratory disease in finishing pigs. The short- and long-term impact of NSAID dosing on clinical signs, daily weight gain, blood parameters and behaviour of growing pigs in herds with acute respiratory infections were evaluated. Four finishing pig farms suffering from acute outbreaks of respiratory disease were visited thrice after outbreak onset (DAY 0, DAY 3 and DAY 30). Pigs with the most severe clinical signs (N = 160) were selected as representative pigs for the herd condition. These pigs were blood sampled, weighed, evaluated clinically and their behaviour was observed. After the first visit, half of the pens (five pigs per pen in four pens totalling 20 representative pigs per herd, altogether 80 pigs in four herds) were treated with oral ketoprofen (target dose 3 mg/kg) mixed in feed for three days and the other half (80 pigs) with a placebo. In three of the herds, some pigs were treated also with antimicrobials, and in one herd the only pharmaceutical treatment was ketoprofen or placebo.

Results

Compared to the placebo treatment, dosing of ketoprofen reduced sickness behaviour and lowered the rectal temperature of the pigs. Clinical signs, feed intake or blood parameters were not different between the treatment groups. Ketoprofen treatment was associated with somewhat reduced weight gain over the 30-day follow-up period. Concentration analysis of the S- and R-enantiomers of ketoprofen in serum samples collected on DAY 3 indicated successful oral drug administration.

Conclusions

Ketoprofen mainly influenced the behaviour of the pigs, while it had no effect on recovery from respiratory clinical signs. However, the medication may have been started after the most severe clinical phase of the respiratory disease was over, and this delay might complicate the evaluation of treatment effects. Possible negative impact of ketoprofen on production parameters requires further evaluation.

Relationship between blood levels and the anti-hyperalgesic effect of ketoprofen in the rat

The relationship between blood levels of ketoprofen and its anti-hyperalgesic effects was examined in rat using the carrageenan-evoked thermal hyperalgesia model. Female adult Wistar rats were injected with carrageenan into the plantar surface of the right hind paw. Immediately after, rats were administered with ketoprofen po and hindpaw withdrawal latency measured and micro-whole blood samples were obtained over six hours via a cannula inserted in the caudal artery. Ketoprofen levels were measured by HPLC. Ketoprofen concentration increased in a dose-dependent manner and was reflected in dose-dependent anti-hyperalgesic effect. The pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic parameters expressed as mean ± s.e.m. following administration of 1, 3.2, and 10 mg/kg ketoprofen were: Cmax 1.27 ± 0.08, 3.44 ± 0.20 and 11.76 ± 0.81 μg/mL; AUClast 4.16 ± 0.17, 11.63 ± 0.65 and 28.15 ± 1.32 μg h/mL; and Emax observed (AUCE ): 65.41 ± 7.79, 92.06 ± 6.46 and 98.42 ± 7.53%. A direct relationship between blood concentrations and the anti-hyperalgesic effect of ketoprofen followed a maximum effect model equation. The results indicate that the anti-hyperalgesic effect of ketoprofen in the carrageenan pain model can be predicted by the pharmacokinetic properties of ketoprofen.

Comparative assessment of effectiveness of ketoprofen and ketoprofen/beta-cyclodextrin complex in two experimental models of inflammation in rats

Oral administration of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) can lead to adverse effects such as gastrointestinal distress. The complexation of different groups of active substances with β-cyclodextrin (β-CD) has drawn considerable interest over recent years. The purpose of this study was to analyze the ketoprofen/β-cyclodextrin (K/β-CD) conjugate complex as well as to assess its anti-inflammatory effect after oral administration (doses of 30 mg/m(2) and 15 mg/m(2) of body surface), compared with ketoprofen. The studies were done on two models of experimentally-induced acute inflammation in rats (n = 48, 6/group), by means of intraplantar administration of a 10% aqueous kaolin suspension and intraperitoneal administration of a 1% sodium thioglycolate solution. The dynamics of the acute inflammatory process and the anti-inflammatory effects were monitored using plethysmometric determinations after 3, 6, 9, 12, 24 and 48 h (plantar inflammation), and the absorbance of the exudates (spectrophotometrically read) and nucleated cell counts after 24 h (peritoneal inflammation). The coupling of ketoprofen with β-CD resulted in increased solubility (100% in 60 min) of the newly-formed product, which further resulted in a higher bioavailability compared with ketoprofen (<40% in 120 min). In both models of experimentally-induced inflammation, the K/β-CD complex had a higher anti-inflammatory activity than ketoprofen.

Pharmacodynamics, Chiral Pharmacokinetics, and Pharmacokinetic-Pharmacodynamic Modeling of Fenoprofen in Patients With Diabetes Mellitus

The objective of the present study was to assess the influence of type 1 and type 2 diabetes mellitus on the enantioselective pharmacodynamics and pharmacokinetics of fenoprofen. Patients with diabetes mellitus type 1 (n = 7) or type 2 (n = 7) and healthy volunteers (n = 13) received orally a single 600-mg dose of racemic fenoprofen. Monocompartmental analysis of (+)-(S)-fenoprofen showed a significant difference (P < .05, Kruskal-Wallis test) in area under the curve (AUC) values (153.68 vs 243.50 microg x h/mL) and oral clearance (1.95 vs 1.23 L/h) only between patients with diabetes mellitus type 2 and healthy volunteers. The inhibitory activity of cyclooxygenases was evaluated indirectly by the determination of prostaglandin E2 (COX-2) and thromboxane B2 (COX-1) using the sigmoidal inhibitory Emax model. The patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus presented lower IC50 (3.29 vs 6.0 microg/mL) and g (0.73 vs 2.01) values for COX-1 activity compared to healthy volunteers (P < .05, Kruskal-Wallis test). These results show that diabetes mellitus type 2, but not type 1, influences the pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of (+)-(S)-fenoprofen.

Enantiospecific ketoprofen concentrations in plasma after oral and intramuscular administration in growing pigs

Background

Ketoprofen is a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug which has been widely used for domestic animals. Orally administered racemic ketoprofen has been reported to be absorbed well in pigs, and bioavailability was almost complete. The objectives of this study were to analyze R- and S-ketoprofen concentrations in plasma after oral (PO) and intra muscular (IM) routes of administration, and to assess the relative bioavailability of racemic ketoprofen for both enantiomers between those routes of administration in growing pigs.

Methods

Eleven pigs received racemic ketoprofen at dose rates of 4 mg/kg PO and 3 mg/kg IM in a randomized, crossover design with a 6-day washout period. Enantiomers were separated on a chiral column and their concentrations were determined by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry. Pharmacokinetic parameters were calculated and relative bioavailability (F_rel) was determined for S and R –ketoprofen.

Results

S-ketoprofen was the predominant enantiomer in pig plasma after administration of the racemic mixture via both routes. The mean (± SD) maximum S-ketoprofen concentration in plasma (7.42 mg/L ± 2.35 in PO and 7.32 mg/L ± 0.75 in IM) was more than twice as high as that of R-ketoprofen (2.55 mg/L ± 0.99 in PO and 3.23 mg/L ± 0.70 in IM), and the terminal half-life was three times longer for S-ketoprofen (3.40 h ± 0.91 in PO and 2.89 h ± 0.85 in IM) than R-ketoprofen (1.1 h ± 0.90 in PO and 0.75 h ± 0.48 in IM). The mean (± SD) relative bioavailability (PO compared to IM) was 83 ± 20% and 63 ± 23% for S-ketoprofen and R-ketoprofen, respectively.

Conclusions

Although some minor differences were detected in the ketoprofen enantiomer concentrations in plasma after PO and IM administration, they are probably not relevant in clinical use. Thus, the pharmacological effects of racemic ketoprofen should be comparable after intramuscular and oral routes of administration in growing pigs.

Enantioselective pharmacokinetics of ketoprofen in piglets: the significance of neonatal age

Following intravenous dose of 6mg/kg racemic ketoprofen, the chiral pharmacokinetics of ketoprofen was investigated in eight piglets aged 6 and 21days old. S-ketoprofen predominated over R-ketoprofen in plasma of the piglets in both age groups. The volumes of distribution of S-ketoprofen for the 6- and 21-day-old piglets were 241.7 (211.3-276.5) mL/kg and 155.0 (138.7-173.1) mL/kg, respectively, while the corresponding parameters for R-ketoprofen were 289.2 (250.3-334.2) mL/kg and 193.0 (168.7-220.8) mL/kg. The clearances of R-ketoprofen [948.4 (768.0-1171.2) mL/h/kg and 425 (319.1-566.0) mL/h/kg for the 6- and 21-day-old piglets, respectively] were significantly higher compared to the clearances of S-ketoprofen [57.3 (46.6-70.4) mL/h/kg and 33.8 (27.0-42.2) mL/h/kg for 6- and 21-day-old piglets, respectively]. The elimination half-life of S-ketoprofen was 3.4h for both age groups, while the elimination half-life of R-ketoprofen was 0.2h for the 6-day-old and 0.4h for the 21-day-old piglets. The clearances of both R- and S-ketoprofen were significantly higher in the 6-day-old piglets compared to when they were 21 days old. Furthermore, the volumes of distribution were larger in the youngest age group.

Ketoprofen in piglets: enantioselective pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics and PK/PD modelling

The chiral pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of ketoprofen were investigated in a placebo-controlled study in piglets after intramuscular administration of 6 mg/kg racemic ketoprofen. The absorption half-lives of both enantiomers were short, and S-ketoprofen predominated over R-ketoprofen in plasma. A kaolin-induced inflammation model was used to evaluate the anti-inflammatory, antipyretic and analgesic effects of ketoprofen. Skin temperatures increased after the kaolin injection, but the effect of ketoprofen was small. No significant antipyretic effects could be detected, but body temperatures tended to be lower in the ketoprofen-treated piglets. Mechanical nociceptive threshold testing was used to evaluate the analgesic effects. The piglets in the ketoprofen-treated group had significantly higher mechanical nociceptive thresholds compared to the piglets in the placebo group for 12-24 h following the treatment. Pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic modelling of the results from the mechanical nociceptive threshold testing gave a median IC(50) for S-ketoprofen of 26.7 μg/mL and an IC(50) for R-ketoprofen of 1.6 μg/mL. This indicates that R-ketoprofen is a more potent analgesic than S-ketoprofen in piglets. Estimated ED(50) for racemic ketoprofen was 2.5 mg/kg.

No effect of ketoprofen and meloxicam on bone graft ingrowth: a bone chamber study in goats

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

There is increasing awareness that non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), and especially the cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) selective ones, may retard bone healing. We have used NSAIDs (indomethacin for at least 7 days) to prevent heterotopic ossification after acetabular reconstructions using impacted bone grafts. The long-term clinical results have been satisfying, making it difficult to believe that there is an important negative effect of NSAIDs on graft incorporation. We studied the effect of two different NSAIDs on bone and tissue ingrowth in a bone chamber model in goats, using autograft, rinsed allograft, and allograft that had been rinsed and subsequently irradiated.

METHODS

9 goats received no NSAIDs, 9 received ketoprofen, and 9 received meloxicam--all for 6 weeks. In each goat 6 bone chambers were implanted: 2 filled with autograft, 2 with rinsed allograft, and 2 with allograft that had been rinsed and irradiated. The amount of bone ingrowth and total tissue ingrowth was compared between the groups.

RESULTS

There were no statistically significant differences in bone ingrowth between the different groups. Also, no differences in bone ingrowth were found with respect to the type of graft used. Furthermore, there was no statistically significant difference in the total amount of ingrowth of fibrous tissue between the treatment groups.

INTERPRETATION

No differences in bone ingrowth in titanium bone chambers could be detected with both ketoprofen and meloxicam compared to untreated control animals. This confirms our hypothesis that the effect of NSAIDs on the incorporation and ingrowth of bone graft is limited.

Evaluation of bioequivalence after oral, intramuscular, and intravenous administration of racemic ketoprofen in pigs

OBJECTIVE

To assess bioequivalence after oral, IM, and IV administration of racemic ketoprofen in pigs and to investigate the bioavailability after oral and IM administration.

ANIMALS

8 crossbred pigs.

PROCEDURES

Each pig received 4 treatments in a randomized crossover design, with a 6-day washout period. Ketoprofen was administered at 3 and 6 mg/kg, PO; 3 mg/kg, IM; and 3 mg/kg, IV. Plasma ketoprofen concentrations were measured by use of high-performance liquid chromatography for up to 48 hours. To assess bioequivalence, a 90% confidence interval was calculated for the area under the time-concentration curve (AUC) and maximum plasma concentration (C(max)).

RESULTS

Equivalence was not detected in the AUCs among the various routes of administration nor in C(max) between oral and IM administration of 3 mg/kg. The bioavailability of ketoprofen was almost complete after each oral or IM administration. Mean +/- SD C(max) was 5.09 +/- 1.41 microg/mL and 7.62 +/- 1.22 microg/mL after oral and IM doses of 3 mg/kg, respectively. Mean elimination half-life varied from 3.52 +/- 0.90 hours after oral administration of 3 mg/kg to 2.66 +/- 0.50 hours after IV administration. Time to peak C(max) after administration of all treatments was approximately 1 hour. Increases in AUC and C(max) were proportional when the orally administered dose was increased from 3 to 6 mg/kg.

CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE

Orally administered ketoprofen was absorbed well in pigs, although bioequivalence with IM administration of ketoprofen was not detected. Orally administered ketoprofen may have potential for use in treating pigs.

Pharmacokinetics and bioavailability of nimesulide in goats

The pharmacokinetic properties and bioavailability of cyclooxygenase (COX)-2 selective nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug nimesulide were investigated in female goats following intravenous (i.v.) and intramuscular (i.m.) administration at a dose of 4 mg/kg BW. Blood samples were collected by jugular venipuncture at predetermined times after drug administration. Plasma concentrations of nimesulide were determined by a validated high-performance liquid chromatography method. Plasma concentration-time data were subjected to compartmental analysis and pharmacokinetic parameters for nimesulide after i.v. and i.m. administration were calculated according to two- and one-compartment open models respectively. Following i.v. administration, a rapid distribution phase was followed by the slower elimination phase. The half-lives during the distribution phase (t1/2alpha) and terminal elimination phase (t1/2beta) were 0.11+/-0.10 and 7.99+/-2.23 h respectively. The steady-state volume of distribution (Vd(ss)), total body clearance (ClB) and mean residence time (MRT) of nimesulide were 0.64+/-0.13 L/kg, 0.06+/-0.02 L/h/kg and 11.72+/-3.42 h respectively. After i.m. administration, maximum plasma concentration (Cmax) of nimesulide was 2.83+/-1.11 microg/mL attained at 3.6+/-0.89 h (tmax). Plasma drug levels were detectable up to 72 h. Following i.m. injection, the t1/2beta and MRT of nimesulide were 1.63 and 1.73 times longer, respectively, than the i.v. administration. The bioavailability of nimesulide was 68.25% after i.m. administration at 4 mg/kg BW. These pharmacokinetic data suggest that nimesulide given intramuscularly may be useful in the treatment of inflammatory disease conditions in goats.

Pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic interactions of tolfenamic acid and marbofloxacin in goats

Pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic properties in goats of the non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug tolfenamic acid (TA), administered both alone and in combination with the fluoroquinolone marbofloxacin (MB), were established in a tissue cage model of acute inflammation. Both drugs were injected intramuscularly at a dose rate of 2 mg kg(-1). After administration of TA alone and TA+MB pharmacokinetic parameters of TA (mean values) were Cmax=1.635 and 1.125 microg ml(-1), AUC=6.451 and 3.967 microgh ml(-1), t1/2K10=2.618 and 2.291 h, Vdarea/F=1.390 and 1.725Lkg(-1), and ClB/F=0.386 and 0.552 L kg(-1) h(-1), respectively. These differences were not statistically significant. Tolfenamic acid inhibited prostaglandin (PG)E2 synthesis in vivo in inflammatory exudate by 53-86% for up to 48 h after both TA treatments. Inhibition of synthesis of serum thromboxane (Tx)B2 ex vivo ranged from 16% to 66% up to 12h after both TA and TA+MB, with no significant differences between the two treatments. From the pharmacokinetic and eicosanoid inhibition data for TA, pharmacodynamic parameters after dosing with TA alone for serum TxB2 and exudate PGE2 expressing efficacy (Emax=69.4 and 89.7%), potency (IC50=0.717 and 0.073 microg ml(-1)), sensitivity (N=3.413 and 1.180) and equilibration time (t1/2Ke0=0.702 and 16.52 h), respectively, were determined by PK-PD modeling using an effect compartment model. In this model TA was a preferential inhibitor of COX-2 (COX-1:COX-2 IC50 ratio=12:1). Tolfenamic acid, both alone and co-administered with MB, did not affect leucocyte numbers in exudate, transudate or blood. Compared to placebo significant attenuation of skin temperature rise over inflamed tissue cages was obtained after administration of TA and TA+MB with no significant differences between the two treatments. Marbofloxacin alone did not significantly affect serum TxB2 and exudate PGE2 concentrations or rise in skin temperature over exudate tissue cages. These data provide a basis for the rational use of TA in combination with MB in goat medicine.

The pharmacokinetics of vedaprofen and its enantiomers in dogs after single and multiple dosing

Vedaprofen is a chiral nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug that has been developed as a gel formulation for oral administration to dogs and horses. The pharmacokinetics of vedaprofen and its enantiomers were studied in beagle dogs after single (intravenous solution and oral gel) and multiple (oral gel) dosing at a dosage of 0.5 mg/kg body weight. Plasma concentrations of vedaprofen and its enantiomers were analysed by HPLC. The plasma protein binding of vedaprofen was studied by ultrafiltration. The absorption of vedaprofen was rapid (tmax 0.63 +/- 0.14 h) and almost complete after oral administration (bioavailability 86 +/- 7%). The terminal half-lives after intravenous and oral administration, 16.8 +/- 2.2 and 12.7 +/- 1.7 h respectively, were of the same order of magnitude. Enantioselective analysis showed that the R(-) enantiomer predominated in plasma. The change in the plasma time course of the plasma R(-)/S(+) enantiomer concentration ratio over time was similar after single intravenous and oral dosing, with R(-)/S(+) ratios in the AUC of 1.7 +/- 0.5 and 1.9 +/- 0.2 respectively. Plasma protein binding of vedaprofen and its enantiomers was high (> 99.5%). Vedaprofen is absorbed rapidly from the gastrointestinal tract, has a high bioavailability and does not accumulate in plasma in dogs following repeated oral administration.

Pharmacodynamics and pharmacokinetics of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs in species of veterinary interest

This review summarises selected aspects of the pharmacokinetics (PK) and pharmacodynamics (PD) of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). It is not intended to be comprehensive, in that it covers neither minor species nor several important aspects of NSAID PD. The limited objective of the review is to summarise those aspects of NSAID PK and PD, which are important to an understanding of PK-PD integration and PK-PD modelling (the subject of the next review in this issue). The general features of NSAID PK are: usually good bioavailability from oral, intramuscular and subcutaneous administration routes (but with delayed absorption in horses and ruminants after oral dosing), a high degree of binding to plasma protein, low volumes of distribution, limited excretion of administered dose as parent drug in urine, marked inter-species differences in clearance and elimination half-life and ready penetration into and slow clearance from acute inflammatory exudate. The therapeutic effects of NSAIDs are exerted both locally (at peripheral inflammatory sites) and centrally. There is widespread acceptance that the principal mechanism of action (both PD and toxicodynamics) of NSAIDs at the molecular level comprises inhibition of cyclooxygenase (COX), an enzyme in the arachidonic acid cascade, which generates inflammatory mediators of the prostaglandin group. However, NSAIDs possess also many other actions at the molecular level. Two isoforms of COX have been identified. Inhibition of COX-1 is likely to account for most of the side-effects of NSAIDs (gastrointestinal irritation, renotoxicity and inhibition of blood clotting) but a minor contribution also to some of the therapeutic effects (analgesic and anti-inflammatory actions) cannot be excluded. Inhibition of COX-2 accounts for most and possibly all of the therapeutic effects of NSAIDs. Consequently, there has been an intensive search to identify and develop drugs with selectivity for inhibition of COX-2. Whole blood in vitro assays are used to investigate quantitatively the three key PD parameters (efficacy, potency and sensitivity) for NSAID inhibition of COX isoforms, providing data on COX-1:COX-2 inhibition ratios. Limited published data point to species differences in NSAID-induced COX inhibition, for both potency and potency ratios. Members of the 2-arylpropionate sub-groups of NSAIDs exist in two enantiomeric forms [R-(-) and S-(+)] and are licensed as racemic mixtures. For these drugs there are marked enantiomeric differences in PK and PD properties of individual drugs in a given species, as well as important species differences in both PK and PD properties.

PK-PD integration and PK-PD modelling of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs: principles and applications in veterinary pharmacology

Much useful information relevant to elucidation of mechanism of action of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) at the molecular level can be obtained from integrating pharmacokinetic (PK) and pharmacodynamic (PD) data, such data being obtained usually, although not necessarily, in separate studies. Integrating PK and PD data can also provide a basis for selecting clinically relevant dosing schedules for subsequent evaluation in disease models and clinical trials. The principles underlying and uses of PK-PD integration are illustrated in this review for phenylbutazone in the horse and cow, carprofen and meloxicam in the horse, carprofen and meloxicam in the cat and nimesulide in the dog. In the PK-PD modelling approach for NSAIDs, the PK and PD data are generated (usually though not necessarily) in vivo in the same investigation and then modelled in silico, usually using the integrated effect compartment or indirect response models. Drug effect is classically modelled with the sigmoidal E(max) (Hill) equation to derive PD parameters which define efficacy, potency and sensitivity. The PK-PD modelling approach for NSAIDs can be undertaken at the molecular level using surrogates of inhibition of cyclooxygenase (COX) isoforms (or indeed other enzymes e.g. 5-lipoxygenase). Examples are provided of the generation of PD parameters for several NSAIDs (carprofen, ketoprofen, vedaprofen, flunixin and tolfenamic acid) in species of veterinary interest (horse, calf, sheep and goat), which indicate that all drugs investigated except vedaprofen were non-selective for COX-1 and COX-2 in the four species investigated under the experimental conditions used, vedaprofen being a COX-1 selective NSAID. In these studies, plasma concentration was linked to COX inhibitory action in the biophase using an effect compartment model. Data for S-(+)-ketoprofen have been additionally subjected to inter-species modelling and allometric scaling of both PK and PD parameters. For several species values of four PK parameters were highly correlated with body weight, whilst values for PD parameters based on COX inhibition lacked allometric relationship with body weight. PK-PD modelling of NSAIDs has also been undertaken using clinical end-points and surrogates for clinical end-points in disease models. By measurement of clinically relevant indices in clinically relevant models, data generated for PD parameters have been used to set dosages and dose intervals for evaluation and confirmation in clinical trials. PK-PD modelling of NSAIDs is likely to prove superior to conventional dose titration studies for dosage schedule determination, as it sweeps the whole of the concentration-effect relationship for all animals and therefore permits determination of genuine PD parameters. It also introduces time as a second independent variable thus allowing prediction of dosage interval. Using indirect response models and clinically relevant indices, PD data have been determined for flunixin, phenylbutazone and meloxicam in the horse, nimesulide in the dog and meloxicam in the cat.

Pharmacology of drugs used to treat osteoarthritis in veterinary practice

As in humans, pain in animals may be associated with a wide range of conditions and circumstances, ranging from acute trauma to joint diseases. Joint diseases are common in companion animal medicine (horse, dog, cat) and at least 80% of cases are classified as osteoarthritis (OA). Several drug classes are available for OA therapy, including corticosteroids, non-steroidal antiinflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), agents with potential disease modifying properties and nutraceuticals. For long-term maintenance OA treatment, particularly in the horse and dog, NSAIDs are routinely and extensively used. This review outlines the pharmacokinetics (PK) and pharmacodynamics (PD) of NSAIDs in companion and farm animal species. NSAID PK and PD have been studied in models of acute inflammation, which enable use of PK-PD modeling to facilitate (a) studies of mechanism of action at the molecular level and (b) prediction of dosages for clinical use. The PK-PD approach is a powerful but underutilized tool which also facilitates inter-species comparisons.

Modeling and allometric scaling of s(+)-ketoprofen pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics: a retrospective analysis

Interspecies scaling of pharmacokinetic (PK) parameters is commonplace in drug development. However, information about proportionality of pharmacodynamic (PD) parameters in different species is scarce. We investigated the feasibility of allometric scaling of PK and PD parameters of s(+)-ketoprofen (sKTP) using the literature data from several animal species. Two different indirect response models were proposed to characterize sKTP inhibitory effects on synthesis of thromboxane B(2) (TXB(2)) and prostaglandin E(2) (PGE(2)). Using the traditional allometric approach, the obtained PK and PD parameters were plotted against body weights (BW) on a log-log scale. For all species, values of systemic clearance (Cl), distribution clearance (Cl(D)), central volume of distribution (V(c)), and volume of distribution at steady-state (V(ss)) were highly correlated (r(2) = 0.89-0.99) with BW. The PD parameters for inhibition of TXB(2) synthesis were poorly correlated with BW (r(2) = 0.25-0.54) while most of the parameters for inhibition of PGE(2) synthesis lacked any correlation (r(2) approximately 0.05). In conclusion, indirect response models adequately described the time course of sKTP inhibitory effects on synthesis of TXB(2) and PGE(2). Allometrical scaling showed PK parameters to change proportionally to BW, whereas PD parameters had limited ranges and were essentially weight independent.