Metabolic conjugation of some carboxylic acids in the horse

Interference of endogenous benzoic acid with the signatures of sulfonic acid derivatives and carbohydrates in fermented dairy products

Endogenous benzoic acid causes detrimental effects on public health, but the underlying mechanisms often remain elusive. Benzoic acid (0.00-40.00 mg L -1) was detected from sixty fermented goat milk samples in six replicates, indicating the existence of endogenous benzoic acid. Herein, we investigated the effects of benzoic acid on the variations of metabolome and proteome signatures in fermented goat milk via integrative metabolomics (LOQ 2.39-98.98 μg L -1) and proteomics approach based on UHPLC-Q-Orbitrap HRMS. Explicitly, benzoic acid reduced the content of taurine (7.06-4.80 mg L -1) and hypotaurine (3.86-1.74 mg L -1) due to a significant decrease in the levels of glutamate decarboxylase 1 by benzoic acid. The reduction in lactose (7.13-5.31 mg L -1) and d-galactose (4.39-3.37 mg L -1) content was related to the decrease in α-lactalbumin and β-galactosidase levels, respectively, in fermented goat milk containing 40.00 mg L -1 benzoic acid. Meanwhile, the levels of maltose (22.84-16.53 mg L -1) and raffinose (4.19-3.10 mg L -1) progressively decreased with increasing benzoic acid concentrations (0.00-40.00 mg L -1), which had detrimental effects on the nutritional quality of fermented goat milk. Additionally, the concentration of benzoic acid and fermentation temperature are the most important factors to control the loss of nutrients in fermented dairy products.

Metabolism of phenolics in coffee and plant-based foods by canonical pathways: an assessment of the role of fatty acid β-oxidation to generate biologically-active and -inactive intermediates

ω-Phenyl-alkenoic acids are abundant in coffee, fruits, and vegetables. Along with ω-phenyl-alkanoic acids, they are produced from numerous dietary (poly)phenols and aromatic amino acids in vivo. This review addresses how phenyl-ring substitution and flux modulates their gut microbiota and endogenous β-oxidation. 3',5'-Dihydroxy-derivatives (from alkyl-resorcinols, flavanols, proanthocyanidins), and 4'-hydroxy-phenolic acids (from tyrosine, p-coumaric acid, naringenin) are β-oxidation substrates yielding benzoic acids. In contrast, 3',4',5'-tri-substituted-derivatives, 3',4'-dihydroxy-derivatives and 3'-methoxy-4'-hydroxy-derivatives (from coffee, tea, cereals, many fruits and vegetables) are poor β-oxidation substrates with metabolism diverted via gut microbiota dehydroxylation, phenylvalerolactone formation and phase-2 conjugation, possibly a strategy to conserve limited pools of coenzyme A. 4'-Methoxy-derivatives (citrus fruits) or 3',4'-dimethoxy-derivatives (coffee) are susceptible to hepatic "reverse" hydrogenation suggesting incompatibility with enoyl-CoA-hydratase. Gut microbiota-produced 3'-hydroxy-4'-methoxy-derivatives (citrus fruits) and 3'-hydroxy-derivatives (numerous (poly)phenols) are excreted as the phenyl-hydracrylic acid β-oxidation intermediate suggesting incompatibility with hydroxy-acyl-CoA dehydrogenase, albeit with considerable inter-individual variation. Further investigation is required to explain inter-individual variation, factors determining the amino acid to which C6-C3 and C6-C1 metabolites are conjugated, the precise role(s) of l-carnitine, whether glycine might be limiting, and whether phenolic acid-modulation of β-oxidation explains how phenolic acids affect key metabolic conditions, such as fatty liver, carbohydrate metabolism and insulin resistance.

Metabolomic Signatures Discriminate Horses with Clinical Signs of Atypical Myopathy from Healthy Co-grazing Horses

Atypical myopathy (AM) is a severe rhabdomyolysis syndrome that occurs in grazing horses. Despite the presence of toxins in their blood, all horses from the same pasture are not prone to display clinical signs of AM. The objective of this study was to compare the blood metabolomic profiles of horses with AM clinical signs with those of healthy co-grazing (Co-G) horses. To do so, plasma samples from 5 AM horses and 11 Co-G horses were investigated using untargeted metabolomics. Metabolomic data were evaluated using unsupervised, supervised, and pathway analyses. Unsupervised principal component analysis performed with all detected features separated AM and healthy Co-G horses. Supervised analyses had identified 1276 features showing differential expression between both groups. Among them, 46 metabolites, belonging predominantly to the fatty acid, fatty ester, and amino acid chemical classes, were identified by standard comparison. Fatty acids, unsaturated fatty acids, organic dicarboxylic acids, and fatty esters were detected with higher intensities in AM horses in link with the toxins' pathological mechanism. The main relevant pathways were lipid metabolism; valine, leucine, and isoleucine metabolism; and glycine metabolism. This study revealed characteristic metabolite changes in the plasma of clinically affected horses, which might ultimately help scientists and field veterinarians to detect and manage AM. The raw data of metabolomics are available in the MetaboLights database with the access number MTBLS2579.

Metabolic fate of dietary terpenes fromEucalyptus radiata in common ringtail possum (Pseudocheirus peregrinus)

Arboreal marsupials consume terpenes in quantities that are toxic to other mammals, indicating that they possess special detoxification mechanisms. The metabolic fate of dietary terpenes was studied in the common ringtail possum (Pseudocheirus peregrinus). Three animals were fedEucalyptus radiata leaf for 10 days. Leaf consumption increased over three days to an average steady state of about 10-15 mmol total terpenes per day. GCMS analysis identified six urinary terpene metabolites, which were dicarboxylic acids, hydroxyacids, or lactones. Another nine metabolites could only be shown to be terpene-derived but of unknown structure. The amounts excreted were estimated by GC-FID, using response factors based on carbon content. Total 24-hr excretion of terpene-derived metabolites increased to 6.2-7.6 mmol on days 5-10, while glucuronic acid excretion remained constant at about 1.5 mmol. No other conjugates of terpene metabolites were found. The strategy used by the possum to detoxify dietary terpenes seems to be to polyoxygenate the molecules forming highly polar, acidic metabolites that can be readily excreted. Conjugation is minimal, perhaps to conserve carbohydrate and amino acids.

Disposition of human drug preparations in the horse. VI. Tiaprofenic acid

Urinary and plasma concentrations of the nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug tiaprofenic acid were determined following oral and intramuscular administration of a dose of 1 g to five fasted horses. Quantitation was performed by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). The limit of quantitation (LOQ) was 0.1 microg/ml and 0.5 microg/ml in 2 ml plasma and 1 ml urine, respectively. Assay precision and extraction recovery were between acceptable values. Tiaprofenic acid pharmacokinetics were described by non-compartment analysis of the data. Absorption was faster after oral administration as maximum plasma concentrations (oral: 6.0+/-3.3 microg/ml; intramuscular: 6.6+/-2.5 microg/ml) were obtained after 1 h (oral) compared to 1.6+/-0.4 h (intramuscular) post dosage. Plasma binding (66+/-3%) was lower than measured in other species. Tiaprofenic acid was detected in urine for at least 24 h. The percentage of the parent drug excreted in the first 12 h after oral and intramuscular administration was 38+/-6% and 34+/-5%, respectively.

Disposition of human drug preparations in the horse. IV. Orally administered fenoprofen

Plasma and urinary concentrations of the non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug fenoprofen were determined by a high-performance liquid chromatographic procedure following oral administration of a dose of 3 g to fed and fasted horses. In plasma, fenoprofen was present in detectable concentrations for 6-12 h. Free access to hay significantly reduced the peak plasma concentration and bioavailability of fenoprofen, and large interindividual differences in absorption and elimination pattern occurred. In fasted horses, fenoprofen was rapidly absorbed with a mean half-life of 0.10 h. Maximum concentrations were found 0.63 +/- 0.21 h after dosing. The elimination half-life was 0.9 h. As early as 1 h after dosage, fenoprofen could be detected in hydrolysed and unhydrolysed urine, and remained detectable up to 48 h. The maximum excretion rate and peak concentration occurred 2 h after administration, irrespective of the feeding schedule. In fed horses, a second maximum occurred after 9 h. The percentage of the dose excreted as unchanged fenoprofen in 12 h was 13.0 +/- 6.8%. A recovery of 21.9 +/- 7.4% and 42.2 +/- 7.0% of the dose was obtained after enzymatic and alkaline hydrolysis, respectively. At least three hydroxylated metabolites were detected in hydrolysed urine.

Pharmacokinetics of ketoprofen after multiple intravenous doses to mares

The pharmacokinetics and urinary excretion of ketoprofen in six healthy mares after the first and last of five daily intravenous doses of 2.2 mg of ketoprofen per kg body weight were investigated using a high-performance liquid chromatographic (HPLC) method for determining plasma and urinary ketoprofen concentrations. Plasma ketoprofen concentrations declined triexponentially after each dose with no significant differences in plasma concentrations or pharmacokinetic parameter values between the first and last doses. The harmonic mean of the terminal elimination half-life of ketoprofen after the first and last dose was 98.2 and 78.0 min, respectively. The median values of the total plasma clearance and the renal clearance after the first dose were 4.81 and 1.93 mL/min/kg, respectively. Total plasma clearance was attributed to renal excretion of ketoprofen and metabolism of ketoprofen to a base-labile conjugate which was also excreted in the urine. Renal clearance of ketoprofen was attributed to renal tubular secretion since renal clearance was greater than filtration clearance. Urinary recovery of ketoprofen during the first 420 min after the first dose accounted for 26.4% of the dose as unconjugated ketoprofen and 29.8% of the dose as a base-labile conjugate of ketoprofen. Total urinary recovery of ketoprofen as unchanged ketoprofen and from base-labile conjugate represented 56.2% of the dose. Plasma protein binding of ketoprofen was extensive; the mean plasma protein binding of ketoprofen was 92.8% (SD 3.0%) at 500 ng/mL and 91.6% (SD 0.60%) at 10.0 micrograms/mL.

Disposition of human drug preparations in the horse. III. Orally administered alclofenac

Concentrations of the non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) alclofenac were determined by a sensitive high performance liquid chromatographic procedure in plasma and urine of horses following oral administration of a dose of 3 g. In plasma, alclofenac was present in detectable concentrations for 72 h. The plasma disposition in individual horses was best described by a bi-compartmental model with two successive rate constants ka1 = 0.05 +/- 0.06 h-1 and ka2 = 0.06 +/- 0.01 h-1. Alclofenac half-lives t1/2 alpha and t1/2 beta were 1.0 +/- 0.8 h and 6.9 +/- 1.5 h, respectively. Maximal concentrations (38.9 +/- 16.2 micrograms/ml) were obtained after 8.5 +/- 2.4 h. Alclofenac was detected in urine for at least 48 h after dosing. The percentage of the dose excreted as unchanged alclofenac in 12 h was very low (0.68 +/- 0.19%), total (free+conjugated) alclofenac accounted for 2.16 +/- 0.55% of the dose.

Identification of detomidine carboxylic acid as the major urinary metabolite of detomidine in the horse

Horse urine was investigated for metabolites by chromatography and mass spectrometry following the oral administration of the large animal analgesic sedative detomidine to two stallions and intravenous administration of [3H]-detomidine to a mare. Detomidine carboxylic acid and hydroxydetomidine glucuronic acid conjugate were identified in the urine after the oral doses. In addition, traces of free hydroxydetomidine were observed. About half of the radioactivity of [3H]-detomidine was excreted in the urine in 12 h after the i.v. dose (80 micrograms/kg). Most of the excretion occurred between 5 and 12 h in contrast to urine output which was highest 2-5 h after the dosing. The major radioactive metabolite in the urine was detomidine carboxylic acid. It comprised more than two thirds of the total metabolites in all the urine fractions collected. Its excretion profile was similar to that of total radioactivity. Hydroxydetomidine glucuronide was also excreted. It contributed 10-20% of the total metabolites in the urine. The free aglycone was only seen in the samples collected during the peak urine flow. A minor metabolite was tentatively characterized as the glucuronide of N-hydroxydetomidine.

Pharmacokinetics and elimination of salicylic acid in rabbits

Sodium salicylate was administered to rabbits in order to compare its disposition with that in other major and minor agricultural species. A dose of 44 mg/kg was given orally (p.o.) or intravenously (i.v.), and plasma and urine samples were collected for 36 h and 96 h, respectively. The majority of the drug was excreted as salicylic acid (SA) within 12 h. The major metabolites following an oral dose were salicyluric acid (SUA) and the glucuronide conjugates of SA and SUA. Following i.v. dosing, sulfate conjugates of both SA and SUA were also evident. Both SA and SUA were detected in plasma. Following i.v. administration, SA was distributed with a Vss of 0.249 +/- 0.082 l/kg and cleared at a rate of 0.0432 +/- 0.006 l/h/kg. The biological half-life, calculated from the terminal disposition-rate constant, was 4.3 h (i.v.) or 9.7 h (p.o.). The urinary elimination pattern of SA and metabolites in the rabbit was similar to that previously reported by our laboratories for cattle and goats, although total recovery of the administered dose was not as high as for the latter two species. However, the volume of distribution was larger than for cattle and goats, and rabbits cleared the drug more slowly than those species. As a consequence, the biological half-life was eight to ten times longer than in the ruminants studied previously.

Studies on the metabolism of arylacetic acids. 7. The influence of varying dose size upon the conjugation pattern of 2-naphthylacetic acid in the guinea pig, mouse and hamster

1. The influence of dose size upon the metabolic conjugation of 2-naphthylacetic acid with various amino acids and glucuronic acid has been studied in the guinea pig, mouse and hamster. 2. Guinea pigs conjugated 2-naphthylacetic acid with glycine and glucuronic acid. 3. Mice conjugated 2-naphthylacetic acid with glycine, taurine and glucuronic acid. Taurine conjugation had the highest capacity, and both this and the glycine mechanism were saturated at doses above 100 mg/kg. 4. Hamsters utilized glutamine, glycine, taurine and glucuronic acid for the conjugation of 2-naphthylacetic acid. No conjugation pathway was saturated by doses up to 200 mg/kg. 5. The thus-far unique ability of 2-naphthylacetic acid to evoke multiple amino acid conjugations, using the taurine and glutamine mechanisms hitherto unknown in these species, appears to be due to its affinity for previously unrecognized enzyme systems, rather than to saturation of 'normal' pathways revealing novel routes at high doses.

Presence of salicylic acid in standardbred horse urine and plasma after various feed and drug administrations

Plasma and urinary levels of salicylic acid were examined in Standardbred mares after administration of various feeds, containing different compositions of hay. In addition, horses were administered acetylsalicylic acid orally and methyl salicylate topically. Elevated salicylic acid levels were observed in horse urine and plasma in animals fed lucerne hay. The plasma and urinary elimination of salicylic acid exhibited a diurnal pattern which was related to the type of feed and the feeding schedule. Within 24 h after oral administration of acetylsalicylic acid, plasma and urine salicylic acid levels were consistent with residual levels observed after feeding lucerne hay. Elimination of salicylic acid was rapid and complete, with a half-life between 5 and 7 h. Topical administration of methyl salicylate (8.4 g) produced elevated urinary salicylic acid levels for 6 h. A smaller dose of methyl salicylate (3.4 g) did not elevate plasma or urine salicylic acid levels above those observed following administration of lucerne hay.

The bioavailability of phenylbutazone in the horse

[phenyl-14C]-Phenylbutazone was administered to 2 horses p.o. and i.v. on separate occasions. Plasma levels and urinary and faecal elimination of 14C were monitored for up to 7 days after dosing. Phenylbutazone was rapidly and extensively absorbed after oral administration, and its bioavailability was 91% assessed by comparison of plasma AUCs of unchanged drug after p.o. and i.v. administration. The plasma elimination half-life of phenylbutazone was 9.7 h and this was independent of the route of administration. The pattern of elimination of phenylbutazone was independent of the route of administration, with 55% of the dose being found in the urine in 3 days and a further 39% in the faeces in 7 days. These data, which are the first reports of the absolute bioavailability and excretion pathways of phenylbutazone in the horse, are discussed in terms of their significance for the gastrointestinal toxicity of this drug.

The metabolism of fenclofenac in the horse

14C-Fenclofenac (2-(2'-4'-dichlorophenoxy)-phenylacetic acid) was administered orally to horses, and urinary metabolites investigated by chromatography. Fenclofenac was rapidly absorbed and eliminated, with a plasma half-life (t1/2) of 2.3 h, with 83.2 and 85.8% of the dose being recovered in the urine in 0-24 h. The major urinary metabolite was the ester glucuronide (58.8, 70.0% dose), and evidence is presented that this metabolite undergoes a structural rearrangement to give beta-glucuronidase-resistant isomers. The other 14C-labelled components in horse urine were unchanged fenclofenac (13.1, 11.5% dose), and two minor metabolites, one of which was identified as a monohydroxy fenclofenac. This study is the first to show an ester glucuronide to be the major metabolite of a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug in the horse.

3-Hydroxy- and 3-keto-3-phenylpropionic acids: novel metabolites of benzoic acid in horse urine

The metabolism of benzoic acid has been examined in the horse, using 14C- and deuterium-labelled compounds. Chromatographic analysis of the urine showed the presence of hippuric acid, benzoyl glucuronide and benzoic acid and a discrete band which accounted for 2% of the dose administered. This material was isolated by solvent extraction and HPLC and, following treatment with diazomethane, examined by GC/MS. The major component of this fraction was 3-hydroxy-3-phenylpropionic acid methyl ester, which was accompanied by very much smaller amounts of cinnamic acid methyl ester and acetophenone. The two latter minor components have been shown to be artefacts produced during workup and analysis. Cinnamic acid methyl ester arises by the thermal decomposition of 3-hydroxy-3-phenylpropionic acid methyl ester on the GC column. It is proposed that acetophenone has formed, during workup, by decarboxylation of 3-keto-3-phenylpropionic acid. It is suggested that 3-hydroxy and 3-keto-3-phenylpropionic acids, which are also endogenous in horse urine, have arisen by an addition of a 2 carbon fragment to benzoyl CoA, in a sequence analogous to the reactions of fatty acid biosynthesis. Some implications of the metabolic interrelationships between xenobiotic acids and fatty acids are discussed.

The metabolism of [carboxyl-14C]aspirin in man

1. [carboxyl-14C]Aspirin has been orally administered to four male volunteers and the urinary metabolites examined by paper chromatography, t.l.c., h.p.l.c. and mass spectrometry. 2. 14C Radioactivity was eliminated rapidly in the urine, 94 to 98% of the dose in the first 24 h and approx. 1% in 24-48 h. 3. The major urinary metabolite was salicyluric acid (56-68% dose). In addition, free salicylic and gentisic acids were also detected as were both the acyl and phenolic glucuronides of salicylate. 4. A phenolic glucuronide of salicyluric acid has also been identified. The importance of this metabolite in relation to analytical methods for salicylphenolic glucuronide determination is discussed. 5. The presence of other di- and tri-hydroxybenzoic acids or gentisuric acid could not be demonstrated.