Pharmacokinetics of praziquantel and its metabolites in grass carp (Ctenopharyngodon idella) following the oral administration of a single bolus.

The study aimed to evaluate and compare the routes and rates of the depletion of the antiparasitic praziquantel (PZQ), a derivative of pyrazinoisoquinoline, following its oral administration in grass carp (Ctenopharyngodon idella). We focused on the depletion of PZQ and its major metabolites - cis-hydroxy praziquantel (CPZQ) and trans-hydroxy praziquantel (TPZQ), in water, the plasma, hepatopancreas, kidney, muscle, and skin, following a single oral administration of PZQ in a concentration of 50 mg/kg. Fish were sampled before the drug administration and then eight times in the course of the 30-day-long experiment. Our results indicate the rapid absorption and elimination of PZQ and its metabolites in all the analysed matrices. The most PZQ-burdened tissue was the hepatopancreas, the gill and the skin. In all the samples, the concentration of the drug and its metabolites consistently declined over time. The residue of the parent compound was detected for the longest time in all the tissues. During the study, a significant (P < 0.01) correlation was found within the concentration of PZQ, CPZQ, and TPZQ in the water and all the biological matrices. It was also found that the PZQ residue was not detected below the maximum residue levels (i.e., 20 μg/kg) until 16 days after exposure in the muscle and skin.