PHARMACOKINETIC PROFILE OF OCHRATOXIN-A IN THE RAT AFTER ORAL AND INTRAVENOUS ADMINISTRATION

  • 1 January 1979
    • journal article
    • research article
    • Vol. 7  (6) , 429-434
Abstract
A single oral or i.v. dose (2.5 mg/kg) of ochratoxin A [from Aspergillus ochraceus or Penicillum viridicatum] was administered to healthy adult rats. A spectrofluorimetric method was used to determine the toxin level in plasma. The toxin is distributed in 2 kinetically distinct body compartments. By use of computer techniques, values were assigned to the pharmacokinetic parameters for ochratoxin A in the rat. The half-life of the drug was .apprx. 55 h for either oral or i.v. administration. Digital computer-simulated curves of the toxin levels in the central and peripheral compartments as well as a total elimination curve were generated. When [14C]-ochratoxin A was administered to rats, there were peaks of radioactivity 1 and 6 h after injection. Ochratoxin .alpha. was the only metabolite recovered from the cecum and large intestine. Ochratoxin A was excreted via urine and feces, both as the free drug and hydrolyzed to ochratoxin .alpha.; in urine there were 5 unidentified labeled metabolites. Some of the water-soluble radioactivity was not recovered in the acidic ether extract of the excreta. A hierarchical clustering technique was used to classify the organs in central and peripheral compartments. Muscle, fat and skin were found to belong to the deep compartment; the residue problem is discussed.

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