Characterization of bromhexine and ambroxol in equine urine: effect of furosemide on identification and confirmation.
Abstract: The purpose of this study was two-fold: (1) to develop a simple and sensitive screening procedure for identifying and confirming bromhexine and ambroxol and, (2) to determine the effect of furosemide on the detection of bromhexine, ambroxol, or their metabolites in urine. Female horses (450-550 kg) treated with bromhexine or ambroxol (1 g, p.o.) were used. Urine samples were collected up to 48 h post-drug administration and analysed. Blind samples were used in evaluating the sensitivity of these methods and reproducibility of the results. Bromhexine and ambroxol were extensively metabolized in the horse. These agents and their respective metabolites were identified and confirmed using thin-layer chromatography (TLC) and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS), respectively. Hydroxy-bromhexine and desmethyl-bromhexine were major metabolites found to be unique to bromhexine-treated horses. These metabolites selectively absent from ambroxol-treated horse urine provide a chemical means to distinguish bromhexine from ambroxol administration in horses. These specific metabolites were similarly identified and confirmed in "blind" horse urine samples. The concomitant presence of furosemide (300 mg, i.v.) with bromhexine or ambroxol did not mask the presence of these agents or alter their metabolite profile. By application of the methods described in this study, bromhexine and ambroxol metabolites in horse urine can be easily identified and confirmed.
Publication Date: 1991-01-01 PubMed ID: 2043720DOI: 10.1016/0731-7085(91)80234-zGoogle Scholar: Lookup
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- Journal Article
- Research Support
- Non-U.S. Gov't
Summary
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This research focused on developing a technique for identifying and confirming the presence of bromhexine and ambroxol in equine urine and determining if furosemide affects the detection of these substances. The study discovered these substances are extensively metabolized in horses and their special metabolites can be identified and confirmed regardless of furosemide presence.
Research Methods
- The study was conducted on female horses treated with either bromhexine or ambroxol. The horses weighed between 450 and 550 kg. They were administered these substances orally.
- Urine samples were collected from the horses up to 48 hours after drug administration and analysed for the presence of both bromhexine and ambroxol as well as their metabolites.
- Blind samples were also used to evaluate the sensitivity and reproducibility of the study methods.
- Characterization of the substances and their metabolites was performed using thin-layer chromatography (TLC) and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS).
Research Findings
- Both bromhexine and ambroxol were found to be extensively metabolized in horses. Two major metabolites were identified from the urine of bromhexine-treated horses – hydroxy-bromhexine and desmethyl-bromhexine. These metabolites were not found in the urine of horses treated with ambroxol. This unique metabolic response provides a chemical way to distinguish between bromhexine and ambroxol administration in horses.
- Regardless of the presence or absence of furosemide, the same characteristics of bromhexine and ambroxol as well as their defined metabolites were discernible, indicating that the administration of furosemide with these substances does not interfere with their detection or their metabolite profile.
Conclusions
- The study methods successfully identified and confirmed the presence of bromhexine and ambroxol as well as their specific metabolites from horse urine. They also demonstrated that furosemide does not mask the presence or alter the metabolite profile of these substances.
- The findings suggest that these methods can be practically applied for the easy identification and confirmation of bromhexine and ambroxol metabolites in horse urine.
Cite This Article
APA
Uboh CE, Rudy JA, Soma LR, Fennell M, May L, Sams R, Railing FA, Shellenberger J, Kahler M.
(1991).
Characterization of bromhexine and ambroxol in equine urine: effect of furosemide on identification and confirmation.
J Pharm Biomed Anal, 9(1), 33-39.
https://doi.org/10.1016/0731-7085(91)80234-z Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- PA Equine Toxicology and Research Laboratory, West Chester University, PA 19381.
MeSH Terms
- Ambroxol / blood
- Ambroxol / urine
- Animals
- Bromhexine / blood
- Bromhexine / urine
- Chromatography, Thin Layer
- Female
- Furosemide / pharmacology
- Horses / urine
Citations
This article has been cited 1 times.- Yang F, Liang J, Duan MH, Jin YG, Liu Y, Zhang YN, Li XP, Yang F. Tissue distribution of bromhexine hydrochloride in broiler chickens following oral administration via drinking water. Poult Sci 2026 Feb;105(2):106359.
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