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The gastrointestinal (GI) distribution and plasma disposition kinetics of albendazole (ABZ) metabolites after oral administration of netobimin (NTB) to cattle were studied. Eight Holstein steers (150-180 kg) were surgically fitted with permanent cannulae in the rumen, abomasum and ileum. After post-surgical recovery, the animals were treated orally with a suspension of netobimin zwitterion (400 mg/ml) at 20 mg/kg. Jugular blood and ruminal, abomasal and ileal fluid samples were taken serially over a 96 h period and analysed by HPLC for NTB and its metabolites, including ABZ, ABZ sulphoxide (ABZSO), ABZ sulphone (ABZSO2) and amino-albendazole sulphone (NH2ABZSO2). NTB parent drug was only found in the GI tract and for only 12-18 h post-treatment. ABZSO and ABZSO2 were the main metabolites found in plasma, being present for 30-36 h. These metabolites were exchanged between plasma and different GI fluids and were greatly concentrated in the abomasum. This phenomenon may account for the presence of ABZ, ABZSO and ABZSO2 in the GI tract for 72 h post-treatment despite the fact that ABZ was not detected in plasma and ABZSO and ABZSO2 were detected for only 30-36 h in plasma. The presence of ABZ and ABZSO in the abomasum and intestine for this extended period of time is probably relevant for anthelmintic efficacy against GI parasites. The NH2 ABZSO2 metabolite was detected in plasma, abomasum and ileum and its disposition kinetics were characterized for the first time.

The effects of modulation of liver microsomal sulphoxidation on the disposition kinetics of netobimin (NTB) metabolites were investigated in sheep. A zwitterion suspension of NTB was given orally at 7.5 mg/kg to sheep either alone (control treatment) or co-administered with methimazole (MTZ) orally (NTB + MTZ oral treatment) or intra-muscularly (NTB + MTZ i.m.) at 3 mg/kg. Blood samples were taken serially over a 72 h period and plasma was analysed by HPLC for NTB and its major metabolites, i.e. albendazole (ABZ), albendazole sulphoxide (ABZSO) and albendazole sulphone (ABZSO2). Only trace amounts of NTB parent drug and ABZ were detected in the earliest samples after either treatment. There were significant modifications to the disposition kinetics of ABZSO in the presence of MTZ. ABZSO elimination half-life increased from 7.27 h (control treatment) to 14.57 h (NTB + MTZ oral) and to 11.39 h (NTB + MTZ i.m.). ABZSO AUCs were significantly higher (P less than 0.05) for the NTB + MTZ oral treatment (+55%) and for the NTB + MTZ i.m. treatment (+61%), compared with the NTB alone treatment. The mean residence times for ABZSO were 12.66 +/- 0.68 h (control treatment), 18.85 +/- 2.35 h (NTB + MTZ oral) and 17.02 +/- 0.90 h (NTB + MTZ i.m.). There were no major changes in the overall pharmacokinetics of ABZSO2 for the concomitant MTZ treatments. However, delayed appearance of this metabolite in the plasma resulted in longer ABZSO2 lag times and a delayed Tmax for treatments with MTZ.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

The biotransformation of netobimin (NTB) pro-drug by ruminal, abomasal and intestinal fluids of sheep and cattle was investigated under anaerobic conditions in vitro. No metabolic conversion of NTB was observed upon incubation with abomasal fluid or boiled samples of different gastrointestinal fluids. NTB pro-drug was reduced and cyclised into albendazole (ABZ) and this further oxidized into ABZ sulphoxide (ABZSO) and ABZ sulphone (ABZSO2) by both sheep and cattle ruminal and ileal fluids. A zwitterion formulation of NTB produced a significantly greater amount of anthelminthically active ABZ metabolites (ABZ and ABZSO) than a trisamine salt formulation of the same compound. Although there was no difference in the total amount of products formed, both cattle ruminal and ileal fluids showed a greater oxidative capacity than sheep derived fluids. This was evidenced by the greater amounts of ABZSO recovered and by the resultant lower ratios of ABZ/ABZSO obtained with cattle fluids.

The influence of methimazole (MTZ) on the pharmacokinetics of netobimin (NTB) and its metabolites was investigated in adult sheep. NTB zwitterion suspension was administered at 20 mg kg-1 by intraruminal injection either alone or with simultaneous administration of MTZ intramuscularly at 1.5 mg kg-1. Blood samples were taken serially over a 120-h period and plasma was analysed by HPLC for NTB, albendazole (ABZ), albendazole sulphoxide (ABZSO), and albendazole sulphone (ABZSO2). NTB parent drug showed fast absorption, low area under the plasma concentration-time curve (AUC) and was rapidly removed from plasma after both treatments. The presence of MTZ did increase significantly the ABZ AUC (138 per cent) and mean residence time (MRT) (86 per cent). Concomitant treatment with MTZ resulted in a notably higher ABZSO plasma profile with significantly longer elimination half-life (t1/2 beta) (390 per cent) and MRT (252 per cent) and with significantly higher AUC (95 per cent). Also, MTZ induced significant increases in ABZSO2 t1/2 beta, AUC, and MRT. We have demonstrated a pharmacokinetic interaction between MTZ and NTB metabolites. MTZ may alter the liver biotransformation of ABZ metabolites which results in pronounced changes in the disposition kinetics of anthelmintically active metabolites.

1. The effects of methimazole (MTZ) on the pharmacokinetic behaviour of netobimin (NTB) and its albendazole (ABZ) metabolites were studied in calves. NTB trisamine salt solution was given by subcutaneous (12.5 mg/kg) and oral (20 mg/kg) routes, either alone or co-administered with MTZ (1.5 mg/kg, intramuscularly). 2. NTB parent drug was detected only after s.c. treatments, showing rapid absorption, early Cmax and fast disposition. ABZ was not found in plasma at any time after either s.c. or oral treatments. 3. Concomitant treatment with MTZ significantly increased the albendazole sulphoxide (ABZSO) elimination half-life (t1/2 beta) (321%) and mean residence time (MRT) (170%) from the values obtained after s.c. treatment with NTB alone. 4. Oral treatment resulted in an ABZSO pharmacokinetic profile with an AUC 27% higher, a significantly longer t1/2 beta (151%) and MRT (124%) in the presence of MTZ. 5. We conclude that when co-administered with NTB in cattle, MTZ induces significant changes in the disposition kinetics of the anthelmintically active ABZSO metabolite.

The effects of methimazole (MTZ), metyrapone (MTP) and quinine (QNE) on the pharmacokinetics and bioavailability of parenterally administered netobimin (NTB) and its major metabolites, albendazole sulphoxide (ABZSO) and albendazole sulphone (ABZSO2), were studied in sheep. NTB trisamine solution was first administered alone at 20 mg kg-1 by subcutaneous injection and then coadministered with either MTZ (1.5 mg kg-1 intramuscularly), MTP (20 mg kg-1 subcutaneously) or QNE (30 mg kg-1 intraruminally) in adult sheep. Blood samples were taken serially over a 120 hour period and plasma was analysed for NTB and its metabolites by high performance liquid chromatography. NTB parent drug showed a similar pharmacokinetic behaviour after all parenteral treatments. Both ABZSO AUCs (P less than 0.01) and Cmax (P less than 0.05) were significantly higher in the presence of MTZ and MTP than with the treatment with NTB alone. In the presence of each of the oxidation inhibitor compounds, the ratio of AUC ABZSO/ABZSO2 was significantly higher than with the NTB alone treatment. It has been demonstrated that the coadministration of substances which alter liver microsomal oxidation resulted in a modified pharmacokinetic pattern for the metabolites of NTB. Both NTB + MTZ and NTB + MTP treatments resulted in an improved pharmacokinetic profile for the anthelmintically active ABZSO metabolite.

Pharmacokinetic profiles of the major metabolites of netobimin were investigated in calves after oral administration of the compound (20 mg/kg) as a zwitterion suspension and trisamine salt solution in a two-way cross-over design. Blood samples were taken serially over a 72-h period and plasma was analysed by HPLC for netobimin (NTB) and its metabolites, including albendazole (ABZ), albendazole sulphoxide (ABZSO) and albendazole sulphone (ABZSO2). NTB was occasionally detected in plasma between 0.5 and 1.0 h post-treatment. ABZ was not detectable at any time. ABZSO was detected from 0.5-0.75 h up to 32 h post-administration, with a Cmax for the zwitterion suspension of 1.21 +/- 0.13 micrograms/ml and AUC of 18.55 +/- 1.45 micrograms.h/ml, respectively, which were significantly higher (P less than 0.01) than the Cmax (0.67 +/- 0.12 micrograms/ml) and AUC (8.57 +/- 0.91 micrograms.h/ml) for the trisamine solution. ABZSO2 was detected in plasma between 0.75 and 48 h post-administration. The zwitterion suspension resulted in a Cmax (2.91 +/- 0.10 micrograms/ml) and AUC (51.67 +/- 1.95 micrograms.h/ml) for ABZSO2, which were significantly higher (P less than 0.01) than those obtained for the trisamine solution (Cmax = 1.67 +/- 0.11 micrograms/ml and AUC = 22.77 +/- 1.09 micrograms.h/ml). The ratio of AUC for ABZSO2/ABZSO was 2.92 +/- 0.26 (zwitterion) and 2.80 +/- 0.20 (trisamine). The MRT for ABZSO2 was significantly longer (P less than 0.01) after treatment with the zwitterion suspension than after treatment with the trisamine solution.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

In a 4 x 4 crossover-design study, pharmacokinetic variables of 2 injectable formulations of netobimin (trisamine salt solution and zwitterion suspension) were compared after SC administration in calves at dosage of 12.5 mg/kg of body weight. Netobimin parent drug was rapidly absorbed, being detected between 0.25 and 12 hours after treatment, with maximal plasma drug concentration (Cmax) values of 2.20 +/- 1.03 micrograms/ml achieved at 0.75 +/- 0.19 hour (trisamine) and 1.37 +/- 0.59 micrograms/ml at 0.81 +/- 0.18 hour (zwitterion). Netobimin area under the plasma concentration-time curve (AUC) was 7.59 +/- 3.11 micrograms.h/ml (trisamine) and 6.98 +/- 1.60 micrograms.h/ml (zwitterion). Elimination half-life (t1/2 beta) was 2.59 +/- 0.63 hours (trisamine) and 3.57 +/- 1.45 hours (zwitterion). Albendazole was not detected at any time. Albendazole sulfoxide was detected from 4 hours up to 20 hours (trisamine) and from 6 hours up to 24 hours (zwitterion) after administration of the drug. The Cmax values were 0.48 +/- 0.16 micrograms/ml and 0.46 +/- 0.26 micrograms/ml for trisamine and zwitterion formulations, respectively, achieved at time to peak drug concentration (Tmax) values of 9.50 +/- 1.41 hours (trisamine) and 11.30 +/- 1.04 hours (zwitterion). Albendazole sulfoxide AUC was 3.86 +/- 1.04 micrograms.h/ml (trisamine) and 4.40 +/- 3.24 micrograms.h/ml (zwitterion); t1/2 beta was 3.05 +/- 0.75 hours (trisamine) and 3.90 +/- 1.44 hours (zwitterion). Albendazole sulfone was detected from 4 (trisamine) or 6 hours (zwitterion) to 24 hours after treatment.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

The pharmacokinetics and the profile of urine excretion of netobimin (NTB) and its metabolites were investigated after its intraruminal (i.r.) and subcutaneous (s.c.) administration to sheep at 20 mg/kg. Plasma and urine concentrations of NTB, albendazole (ABZ), albendazole sulphoxide (ABZSO) and albendazole sulphone (ABZSO2) were measured serially over a 120-h period by HPLC. NTB showed a similar pharmacokinetic profile in both treatments, being detected between 0.5 and 12 h post-treatment, but the tmax was achieved significantly earlier (P less than 0.05) after s.c. treatment. ABZ was detected in plasma only after i.r. treatment, resulting in a low area under the curve (AUC). The peak plasma concentration (Cmax) and AUC for ABZSO and ABZSO2 were significantly higher after i.r. administration of NTB. In both treatments, the ABZSO Cmax was reached earlier than the ABZSO2 Cmax. The ratio of AUC ABZSO2:ABZSO was higher following s.c. administration (1.33) than following i.r. administration (0.35). The percentages of total dose excreted in the urine as NTB, ABZ, ABZSO and ABZSO2 were 17.05 (i.r.) and 8.16 (s.c.). There was a less efficient conversion of NTB into ABZ metabolites after s.c. administration. The detection of ABZ in plasma and the high ABZSO AUC obtained after i.r. treatment may be of major importance for anthelmintic efficacy.