In this study, amoxicillin (AMO)-loaded poly(vinyl alcohol)/sodium alginate (PVA/NaAlg) nanoparticles were prepared as a polymer-based controlled release system. The physicochemical properties of the obtained nanoparticles were investigated by XRD, DSC/TGA, particle size analyses and zeta potential measurements. The average particle sizes were in the range from 336.3 ± 25.66 to 558.3 ± 31.39 nm with negative zeta potential values from -41.86 ± 0.55 to -47.3 ± 2.76 mV. The influences of PVA/NaAlg ratio, span 80 concentration, exposure time to glutaraldehyde (GA) and the drug/polymer ratio on AMO release profiles were evaluated. In vitro drug release studies showed a controlled and pH dependent AMO release with an initial burst effect. XRD patterns and DSC thermograms of AMO-loaded nanoparticles revealed that the drug in the nanoparticles was in amorphous form, which was more stable than the crystalline form. The antibacterial activity of the optimal formulation was also investigated. The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) values of this formulation had the comparable antibacterial activity with that of pure AMO. These results indicate that the developed nanoparticles could be a promising candidate drug delivery system for AMO.

This study investigated the effects of cocoa butter and sunflower oil alone and in combination on performance, some biochemical parameters, immunoglobulin, and antioxidant vitamin status in Wistar rats. Forty-eight male rats were assigned to four groups, consisting of 12 rats with 3 replicates. Control received balanced rat diet without oil, cocoa butter group received 3.5% cocoa butter, sunflower oil group received 3.5% sunflower oil, the last group received 1.75% sunflower oil + 1.75% cocoa butter supplementation in the rat diet for 8 weeks. The total feed consumption in sunflower oil group was statistically lower than in the other groups. The serum creatinine level was decreased in cocoa butter group compared to control. Triglyceride and VLDL cholesterol levels were decreased in only sunflower oil and only cocoa butter groups as compared to control. The level of Ig M was statistically lower in cocoa butter and cocoa butter + sunflower oil groups than in control and sunflower oil groups. There were no statistically important difference in vitamin concentrations among trial groups. It was concluded that the supplementation of cocoa butter in diet decreased Ig M level, while the supplementation of cocoa butter and sunflower oil alone decreased the triglyceride and VLDL cholesterol levels.

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Amoxicillin is used in the treatment and prevention of a wide range of diseases in poultry breeding. However, its short half-life and low bioavailability restrict its clinical application in these species. Entrapment of drugs into polymeric nanoparticles (nps) presents a means to improve gastrointestinal absorption and oral bioavailability of drugs. This study was aimed to overcome limitation of amoxicillin use in poultry breeding. Amoxicillin was loaded into sodium alginate-polyvinyl alcohol (NaAlg-PVA) blend nps, and characterization of the prepared nps was performed. For pharmacokinetic study, commercial male broilers were used and comparative pharmacokinetics of free and nanoparticle form of amoxicillin were investigated. Twenty-one broilers were divided into three groups. All groups received 10 mg/kg drug. Blood samples were collected, and drug plasma concentrations were determined by HPLC. The results demonstrated that the particle size, zeta potential, encapsulation efficiency, and loading capacity of the nps were 513.96 ± 19.46 nm, -45.36 ± 1.35 mV, 43.66 ± 3.30, and 12.06 ± 0.83%, respectively. In vitro drug release exhibited a biphasic pattern with an initial burst release of 18% within 2 hr followed by a sustained release over 22 hr. The pharmacokinetic results showed that amoxicillin nps have higher bioavailability and longer plasma half-life (p < .01) than free amoxicillin. These results indicate that amoxicillin nano formulation is suitable for oral administration in broilers.

Background Fluralaner is a novel drug belonging to the isoxazoline class that acts on external parasites of domestic animals. It is used systemically via drinking water, especially against red poultry mite in layer chickens. Fluralaner is frequently used in layers infected with D. gallinae . However, no study to date has investigated the effects of feed intake and water hardness. Objectives This study aimed to investigate the effects of variable water hardness and feed intake on the pharmacokinetic profile of fluralaner. Methods Layer chickens were divided into four groups (n = 8): fed + purified water (Group 1), feed restricted + purified water (Group 2), feed restricted + hard water (Group 3), and feed restricted + soft water (Group 4). After administering a single dose of the drug with drinking water, the blood samples were collected for 21 days. Fluralaner concentrations in plasma samples were determined by liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry. The maximum plasma concentration ( C max ), time to reach maximum plasma concentration ( t max ), area under the concentration–time curve values (AUC 0-21d ), half-life ( t 1/2 ), and other pharmacokinetic parameters were calculated. Results Although the highest maximum plasma concentration ( C max ) was determined in Group 1 (fed + purified water), no statistically significant difference was found in the C max , t max , t 1/2 , MRT 0-inf_obs , V z/ F obs , and Cl/ F _obs parameters between the experimental groups. Conclusions It was concluded that the feed intake or water hardness did not change the pharmacokinetic profile of fluralaner in layer chickens. Therefore, fluralaner could be used before or after feeding with the varying water hardness in poultry industry.

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