Objective: To determine the single-dose pharmacokinetics of clodronate disodium (CLO) in juvenile sheep and the plasma protein binding (PPB) of CLO in juvenile sheep and horses.
Animals: 11 juvenile crossbred sheep (252 ± 6 days) for the pharmacokinetic study. Three juvenile crossbred sheep (281 ± 4 days) and 3 juvenile Quarter Horses (599 ± 25 days) for PPB analysis.
Methods: CLO concentrations were determined using liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry. Pharmacokinetic parameters were calculated by noncompartmental analysis from plasma samples obtained at 0, 0.5, 1, 3, 6, 12, 24, 48, and 72 hours after CLO administered IM at 0.6 mg/kg. PPB was determined using equine and ovine plasma in a single-use rapid equilibrium dialysis system.
Results: The mean and range for maximum plasma concentration (Cmax: 5,596; 2,396-8,613 ng/mL), time of maximal concentration (Tmax: 0.5; 0.5-1.0 h), and area under the curve (AUCall: 12,831; 7,590-17,593 h X ng/mL) were similar to those previously reported in horses. PPB in sheep and horses was moderate to high, with unbound fractions of 26.1 ± 5.1% in sheep and 18.7 ± 7.5% in horses, showing less than a 1.4-fold difference.
Clinical relevance: The pharmacokinetic parameters and PPB of CLO in juvenile sheep were similar to those previously reported in horses. The results suggest that juvenile sheep can be utilized as an animal model for studying the potential risks and/or benefits of bisphosphonate use in juvenile horses.