ABSTRACT
N-acetyl-l-cysteine (NAC) has been suggested as an antioxidant that can alleviate the negative effects of stress conditions in broilers. However, knowledge of its pharmacokinetics (PK) in this avian species is very limited. Therefore, the study aimed to shed more light on the PK properties of NAC in chickens. Broilers were subjected to single intravenous (i.v.) or oral (p.o.) treatment or multiple NAC administrations via the feed. Drug concentrations were determined by LC-MS/MS, and the data were subjected to non-compartmental analysis and modeled by non-linear mixed effect approach. NAC was eliminated in a short time after i.v. treatment, with a t1/2el of 0.93 (0.59-2.09) h. It showed limited distribution with population mean of volumes of distribution in the central and peripheral compartments V1 of 0.148 L/kg and V2 of 0.199 L/kg, respectively, and Vdarea of 0.39 (0.258-0.635) L/kg. The value of MRT was 1.76 h (range of 0.96-2.69, p < .05) after single p.o. treatment, indicating a twofold increase if compared to i.v. administration (0.87 h, 0.55-1.78). Both methods of Pk analysis revealed very limited bioavailability, <10%. Feeding behavior led to a later achievement of lower maximum plasma concentrations (5.74, range of 3.44-9.32 µg/mL, p < .05), which were maintained during the 5 days of treatment.
ABSTRACT
N-acetyl-l-cysteine (NAC) shows beneficial effects in cases of aflatoxicosis and heat stress in poultry but little is known about its pharmacokinetics in chickens. Therefore, the study aimed to develop and validate a sensitive LC-MS/MS analytical method for quantitative analysis of NAC in chicken plasma. A split calibration curve approach was used for determination of NAC in chicken plasma. Standard curves for low (0.05-2.5 µg/ml) and high (2.5-100 µg/ml) ranges of concentrations were prepared. The standard curves for low (r2 = 0.9987) and high (r2 = 0.9899) concentrations were linear within the tested range. The limits of detection (LOD) and of quantification (LOQ) for the standard at low concentrations were 0.093 and 0.28 µg/ml, respectively. The accuracy was from 97.35 to 101.33%. The values of LOD and LOQ for the standard at high concentrations were 0.76 and 2.30 µg/ml, respectively. The accuracy was between 99.77 and 112.14%. The intra- and inter-day precisions for all concentrations from both standards did not exceed 8.57% and 10.69%, respectively. The recovery for all concentrations was between 92.45 and 105.52%. The validated method for determination of NAC in chicken plasma can be applied in future pharmacokinetic studies in chickens without dilution of samples and their repeated analysis.