Pharmacokinetic Studies of the Recombinant Bovine Interferon-alpha in Cattle

In order to evaluate the pharmacokinetics of recombinant bovine interferon-alpha (rBolFN-alpha) in cattle, which has potential for its antiviral and immunomodulatory activities, 12 animals of 6-month age were classified into 4 groups (n=3) to receive rBolFN-alpha through IV, IM or SC routes at a dose of 5.0x10(3) IU/kg. Serum rBolFN-alpha titer was evaluated using cytopathic effect (CPE) inhibition bioassay. Then, the standard pharmacokinetic parameters were calculated using the DAS (Drug and statistics) software. The concentration-time profiles of serum rBolFN-alpha following IM administration, SC administration and IV administration were characteristics of the 1-, 1-, and 2-compartment open models, respectively. After a single dose of IV administration, the drug rapidly dispersed and was rapidly eliminated from the body (T-1/2 alpha=0.150 +/- 0.02 h, T-1/2=6.48 +/- 0.49 h). After IM and SC administrations, the drug is rapidly absorbed and slowly eliminated from the body (For IM administration, T-max=6.12 +/- 0.32 h, T-1/2=8.19 +/- 0.74 h) (For SC administration, T-max=4.06 +/- 0.56 h, T-1/2=7.29 +/- 0.55 h). The bioavailability of rBolFN-alpha after IM administration is 53.74%, which is higher than the bioavailability of SC administration (27.96%). Therefore, the results showed that the drug administration effect can be preferably obtained following a single dose IM injection using the rBolFN-alpha aqueous preparation. We hope that this study will provide valuable information for the clinical application of rBolFN-alpha as an potential antiviral agent.