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Veterinary journal (London, England : 1997)2013; 196(3); 294-303; doi: 10.1016/j.tvjl.2013.04.019

Pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics, metabolism, toxicology and residues of phenylbutazone in humans and horses.

Abstract: The presence of horse meat in food products destined for human consumption and labelled as beef has raised several concerns of public interest. This review deals solely with one aspect of these concerns; samples of equine tissue from horses destined for the human food chain have tested positive for the non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug, phenylbutazone. The safety of some or all such foods for human consumers is a major concern, because it was shown many years ago that phenylbutazone therapy in humans can be associated with life threatening blood dyscrasias. As an initial basis for assessing the potential toxicity of foods containing phenylbutazone and its metabolites, this article reviews (1) the pharmacokinetic, pharmacodynamic, metabolic and toxicological profiles of phenylbutazone, with particular reference to horses and humans; (2) toxicity data in laboratory animals; (3) phenylbutazone residues in food producing species, and (4) as a preliminary assessment, the potential hazard associated with the consumption of horse meat containing phenylbutazone and its metabolites. Since phenylbutazone cannot be classified as a carcinogenic substance in humans, and noting that blood dyscrasias in humans are likely to be dose and treatment duration-dependent, the illegal and erratic presence of trace amount residues of phenylbutazone in horse meat is not a public health issue.
Copyright © 2013 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
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Publication Date: 2013-05-27 PubMed ID: 23721873DOI: 10.1016/j.tvjl.2013.04.019Google Scholar: Lookup
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Summary

This research summary has been generated with artificial intelligence and may contain errors and omissions. Refer to the original study to confirm details provided. Submit correction.

This research review seeks to evaluate the safety of the presence of phenylbutazone, a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug, in horse meat intended for human consumption. Based on analysis of drug’s toxicity, pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic properties, the study concludes that trace residuals of phenylbutazone in horse meat do not pose a public health risk.

Pharmacokinetics and Pharmacodynamics of Phenylbutazone

  • The review conducts a thorough analysis of the pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic behavior of phenylbutazone in both humans and horses. These two aspects are crucial because they will determine how the drug is absorbed, distributed, metabolized and excreted in the body as well as the relationship between the dose and its therapeutic effect.

Metabolic and Toxicological Profiles of Phenylbutazone

  • Additionally, the review investigates the metabolic process of phenylbutazone. This helps understand how the drug is converted within the body and it helps predict its potential interactions with other substances.
  • The article scrutinizes the toxicological attributes of phenylbutazone. This refers to the potential harm it can cause to the body, including potential life-threatening blood disorders that have been associated with phenylbutazone therapy in humans.

Toxicity Data in Laboratory Animals

  • The review also evaluates the toxicity data from laboratory animals to understand the potential risks that the drug might post when present in horse meat consumed by humans.

Phenylbutazone Residues in Food Producing Species

  • This section investigates the presence of phenylbutazone residues in various species that are intended for human consumption, beyond horses. This part is important to assess the wider implications of the drug’s presence in our food chain.

Potential Hazard of Phenylbutazone Consumption via Horse Meat

  • The study provides a preliminary assessment of the potential hazard associated with the consumption of horse meat containing phenylbutazone and its metabolites. The study concludes that considering phenylbutazone is not classified as a carcinogenic substance in humans, and noting that blood dyscrasias in humans are likely to be dose and treatment duration-dependent, the illegal and erratic appearance of trace amount residues of phenylbutazone in horse meat is not a public health issue.

Cite This Article

APA
Lees P, Toutain PL. (2013). Pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics, metabolism, toxicology and residues of phenylbutazone in humans and horses. Vet J, 196(3), 294-303. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tvjl.2013.04.019

Publication

Veterinary journal (London, England : 1997)
ISSN: 1532-2971
NlmUniqueID: 9706281
Country: England
Language: English
Volume: 196
Issue: 3
Pages: 294-303

Researcher Affiliations

Lees, Peter
  • Royal Veterinary College, Hawkshead Campus, Hatfield, Hertfordshire AL9 7TA, UK.
Toutain, Pierre-Louis

    MeSH Terms

    • Animals
    • Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal / blood
    • Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal / metabolism
    • Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal / pharmacokinetics
    • Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal / toxicity
    • Drug Residues
    • Horses / blood
    • Horses / metabolism
    • Humans
    • Phenylbutazone / blood
    • Phenylbutazone / metabolism
    • Phenylbutazone / pharmacokinetics
    • Phenylbutazone / toxicity

    Citations

    This article has been cited 14 times.
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