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Ursodeoxycholic Acid Oral Pharmacokinetics and Plasma Bile Acid Profile Changes in a Population of Healthy Neonatal Foals.
Abstract: Ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA) is a secondary bile acid used in humans for the treatment of some cholestatic diseases. Interest in its potential use in equine patients with liver conditions has increased. Pharmacokinetic parameters in adult horses have recently been reported; however, they are not available for foals. The objective of this study was to characterize the pharmacokinetics of UDCA following a single oral dose of 15 mg/kg in six healthy neonatal foals and evaluate associated changes in bile acids (BA) profile. UDCA concentrations were measured using liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry. Pharmacokinetic analysis demonstrated median peak concentration (C) of 23.74 μmol (range 12.86-38.02 μmol) obtained at 5.5 h (range 2-6 h) (T). Concentrations declined by 24 h post-dosing, with minimal levels detected between 48 and 72 h. The median half-life was calculated to be 10.32 h (range 8.05-19.12 h), and the estimated mean dosing interval was approximately 12 h. Following administration, plasma UDCA concentrations increased substantially, with marked shift in BA profiles resulting in an increase in the proportion of UDCA relative to other BAs. These results suggest that an oral UDCA dose of 15 mg/kg administered every 12 h is likely appropriate for neonatal foals.
© 2026 John Wiley & Sons Ltd.
Publication Date: 2026-09-28 PubMed ID: 42803749DOI: 10.1111/jvp.70111Google Scholar: Lookup The Equine Research Bank provides access to a large database of publicly available scientific literature. Inclusion in the Research Bank does not imply endorsement of study methods or findings by Mad Barn.
- Journal Article
Summary
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Overview
- This study investigated how the drug ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA) behaves in the body (pharmacokinetics) of healthy newborn foals when given orally, and how the drug affects their blood bile acid profiles.
- The goal was to determine dosing guidance by measuring drug concentration over time and changes in bile acids after a single dose of UDCA.
Background
- UDCA is a secondary bile acid commonly used in humans to treat liver conditions involving bile flow problems (cholestasis).
- Interest has grown in using UDCA for horses with liver diseases, yet data on how foals absorb, distribute, metabolize, and eliminate UDCA were previously unavailable.
- Pharmacokinetic parameters for adult horses were recently reported, but neonatal foals can metabolize drugs differently, necessitating this focused study.
Study Design and Methods
- Six healthy neonatal foals were given a single oral dose of UDCA at 15 mg/kg.
- Blood samples were collected at various time points to measure plasma concentrations of UDCA using a precise analytical technique: liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS).
- Bile acid profiles in plasma were also evaluated to assess changes in the composition of different bile acids after UDCA administration.
Pharmacokinetic Findings
- The median peak plasma concentration (Cmax) of UDCA was 23.74 μmol, with a range of 12.86 to 38.02 μmol among the foals.
- The median time to reach peak concentration (Tmax) was 5.5 hours post-dosing, ranging from 2 to 6 hours.
- UDCA levels declined after 24 hours, with very low or minimal levels detected between 48 and 72 hours.
- The median elimination half-life of UDCA was approximately 10.32 hours, with individual variations between 8.05 and 19.12 hours.
- The pharmacokinetic data suggested that administering UDCA every 12 hours would maintain effective plasma concentrations in neonatal foals.
Bile Acid Profile Changes
- Following UDCA administration, plasma concentrations of UDCA increased significantly.
- There was a marked shift in the overall bile acid profile, specifically an increase in the proportion of UDCA compared to other bile acids.
- This change indicates that UDCA effectively alters the balance of bile acids in plasma, which may be beneficial in managing liver conditions.
Conclusions and Clinical Implications
- The study supports that an oral dose of 15 mg/kg UDCA every 12 hours is likely appropriate for treating neonatal foals.
- This dosing regimen maintains therapeutic plasma levels of UDCA and influences bile acid composition, which may improve liver function or bile flow.
- These findings provide important pharmacokinetic and biochemical data that can guide future clinical use of UDCA in foal neonatology and liver disease treatment.
- Further studies may be needed to evaluate safety, efficacy, and long-term outcomes in foals with liver disease conditions.
Cite This Article
APA
Burdette TN, Delvescovo B, Wise Bellin E, Divers TJ, Donnelly CG.
(2026).
Ursodeoxycholic Acid Oral Pharmacokinetics and Plasma Bile Acid Profile Changes in a Population of Healthy Neonatal Foals.
J Vet Pharmacol Ther.
https://doi.org/10.1111/jvp.70111 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Department of Clinical Sciences, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York, USA.
- Department of Clinical Sciences, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York, USA.
- Department of Clinical Sciences, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York, USA.
- Department of Clinical Sciences, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York, USA.
- Department of Clinical Sciences, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York, USA.
Grant Funding
- Harry M. Zweig Memorial Fund for Equine Research
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