Pharmacokinetics of cannabidiol in a randomized crossover trial in senior horses.

The research is a study on the effects of cannabidiol (CBD) in senior horses, exploring how the component is broken down and used by the body. It also evaluates the pharmacological impacts of CBD, finding no significant negative effects on the subjects’ vital signs, biochemistry, or CBC results.

Methods

• The researchers used eight university-owned senior horses for this randomized, crossover study.
• Horses were either given a single oral dose of 2 mg/kg CBD in oil or a single IV dose of 0.1 mg/kg CBD in DMSO.
• Blood samples were taken prior to, and at multiple intervals after, the CBD administration, up until 264 hours post-administration.
• Serum biochemical analyses and complete blood counts (CBCs) were performed to ensure the horse’s vital signs, biochemical health, and blood count remained stable.
• Plasma concentrations of CBD and its metabolites were determined through liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry – a sophisticated analytical technique used to separate, identify, and quantify components in a mixture.

Results

• Traces of CBD and its metabolites 7-COH CBD and 7-COOH CBD were found in all plasma samples up to 8 hours after dosing, both orally and intravenously (on an IV). 7-COOH CBD was the most predominant metabolite.
• For oral dosing, the study gives detailed pharmacokinetic metrics, including a half-life of 7.22 ± 2.86 hours, a maximum concentration of 18.54 ± 9.80 ng/mL, and a time to reach that maximum concentration of 2.46 ± 1.62 hours.
• Among the times assessed, the concentration of 7-COOH CBD did not fall below the limit of quantification, for both oral and IV administrations.
• Oral bioavailability of CBD was found to be 7.92%, which defines how much of the oral CBD dose can be used by the horses’ bodies.
• There were no significant changes in the horses’ vital signs, serum biochemical analyses, or CBC results due to CBD administration.

Conclusion

• The research effectively determined the pharmacokinetics and bioavailability of CBD in senior horses, highlighting that neither the oral nor IV doses of CBD used caused any adverse effects.
• This study provides a solid foundation for future research into the use of CBD for treatment in veterinary medicine, specifically for senior horses.