The bioavailability and pharmacokinetics of glucosamine hydrochloride and chondroitin sulfate after oral and intravenous single dose administration in the horse.

The research article is about an investigation into whether glucosamine hydrochloride and low molecular weight chondroitin sulfate are absorbed when orally administered to horses. The study also examined the bioavailability of these substances and their behavior in the horse’s body.

Objective of the Study

The main purpose of this research was to ascertain if glucosamine (GL) hydrochloride (FCHG49) and low molecular weight (LMW) chondroitin sulfate (CS) (TRH122) are absorbed following their oral administration to horses. The research team also sought to evaluate the bioavailability of LMWCS by calculating the total disaccharides (a type of carbohydrate) present in plasma after chondroitin sulfate has been digested with chondroitinase ABC.

Methodology

The researchers conducted two independent studies.

• In the first study, they administrated four different treatments in a randomized, crossover style to ten adult horses. These treatments included intravenous (i.v.) and oral (p.o.) LMWCS, both at 3 grams each of 8kDa and 16.9kDa. Every group was given 9 grams of GL alongside LMWCS.
• In the second study, the team randomly assigned two horses to receive either 9 grams of GL hydrochloride injected intravenously or a 125 mg/kg oral dose of the same compound.

After the administration of these substances, the team collected blood samples, analyzed them, and determined the pharmacokinetic parameters which describe how the substances were absorbed, distributed, metabolized, and excreted.

Results and Conclusion

The results showed that GL is absorbed once orally administered, with a mean maximum concentration (C(max)) in the blood of 10.6 micrograms/ml, in an average time (T(max)) of 2 hours. The absorption of LMWCS was also proven, regardless of the molecular weight. However, 16.9kDa LMWCS had higher concentration and area under the curve (AUC – which indicates total drug exposure over time) compared to 8kDa, but its bioavailability was slightly lower although this difference was not statistically significant.

This study is seminal as it provides the first-ever report on the bioavailability of orally administered glucosamine hydrochloride and LMWCS in horses. This knowledge can inform appropriate dosage and administration methods for these compounds in equine veterinary care.