Pharmacokinetics of the trichothecene mycotoxin, T-2 toxin, in swine and cattle

Toxicon. 1986;24(1):13-23. doi: 10.1016/0041-0101(86)90161-3.

Abstract

The pharmacokinetics of the trichothecene mycotoxin, T-2 toxin, were determined in growing gilts and heifers. Following intra-aortal administration in swine and intravenous administration in calves, the disappearance of the parent T-2 toxin followed a 2-compartment open model. Mean elimination phase half-lives were 13.8 and 17.4 min and mean apparent specific volumes of distribution were 0.366 and 0.376 l/kg in swine and calves, respectively. The fraction of T-2 toxin eliminated as parent compound in the urine was negligible. In spite of administration of a lethal oral dose in swine (2.4 mg/kg) and toxic oral doses (up to 3.6 mg/kg) in calves, no parent T-2 toxin was detected in plasma or urine. After intra-aortal administration in swine, tissue concentrations of T-2 toxin were consistently highest in lymphoid organs. Tissue residues of T-2 toxin were rapidly depleted such that, in spite of administration of a potentially lethal intra-aortal dose, no quantifiable T-2 toxin was present in any of the tissues collected at 4 hr after dosing. No T-2 toxin could be detected in liver, even at 1 hr after dosing.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Cattle
  • Feces / analysis
  • Female
  • Kinetics
  • Rumen / metabolism
  • Sesquiterpenes / metabolism*
  • Species Specificity
  • Swine
  • T-2 Toxin / blood
  • T-2 Toxin / metabolism*
  • Tissue Distribution

Substances

  • Sesquiterpenes
  • T-2 Toxin