Pharmacokinetics of Metformin in Combination With Sitagliptin in Adult Horses After Enteral Administration.

The research article discusses the study focused on the impacts of a metformin and sitagliptin combination on horses with insulin dysregulation when administered orally and suggests that it might be a suitable medication combo for treating ID in horses.

Objective of the Research

• The main objective of this study was to determine the concentration over time and derive the pharmacokinetics (how the body metabolizes, distributes, and excretes the drugs) for a combination of metformin and sitagliptin in horses after their oral administration.

Study Methodology

• For the study, six healthy mature Purebred Spanish horses were selected. Metformin and sitagliptin were given to these horses via an enteral (oral) solution.
• The dosage of metformin was 15 mg/kg and of sitagliptin was 1.5 mg/kg.
• The concentration of both drugs in the horse’s plasma was monitored from 0 to 48 hours after administering the drug combo. This was done using a technique called high performance liquid chromatography.

Results of the Study

• The researchers found that the half-life (the time required for the concentration of the drug to reduce to half its initial value) for metformin was 2.9 hours and for sitagliptin was 21 hours.
• The maximum concentration (C) after which the drug concentration in the blood begins declining was recorded as 442 ± 84 mg/L within 0.9 hours for metformin and 94 ± 14 mg/L within 1.3 hours for sitagliptin.
• No negative effects were observed after the medication was administered. The combination of metformin and sitagliptin was shown to be well tolerated by the horses, suggesting its potential to be used as a treatment for horses with insulin dysregulation.

Conclusion and Future Scope

• The research does caution that while the results are promising, more comprehensive studies are needed to establish the effectiveness and tolerance levels against horses suffering from endocrine disorders.