Abstract
The study aimed to investigate the possible role of efflux transporter proteins in the pharmacokinetics of enrofloxacin (ENR) in broilers in the model of co-administration of activated charcoal (AC) or cyclosporine A (CsA). The concentrations of enrofloxacin and its metabolite ciprofloxacin were analyzed by liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) and population approach was used for pharmacokinetic analysis. It was found that body weight has a significant effect on the volume of distribution in the central compartment and on the systemic clearance. Oral AC increased the systemic clearance of intravenously administered ENR suggesting some role of enterohepatic recirculation. For orally administered ENR, CsA increased the area under the curve which can be explained by the inhibition of efflux transporters. Metabolism of the antibacterial drug was not affected by cyclosporine. The data suggest a role of efflux transporter proteins in the pharmacokinetics of drugs in chickens and drug-drug interactions have to be considered when substrates and modulators of these transporters are co-administered.