The conventional pig as PK/PD/toxicity model for the pediatric subpopulation: development of urine and blood sampling strategies in growing piglets

Background The piglet is considered as a valuable alternative animal model to perform preclinical pharmacokinetic (PK), pharmacodynamic (PD) and toxicity studies in the pediatric subpopulation (Gasthuys et al., 2016). To be able to perform such studies, multiple blood and urine collections are required. The aim of the present study was to develop repetitive blood and urine sampling techniques in the same piglets (n = 4, 2♂/2♀) aging eight days, four and eight weeks. Methods Total 12h-voided urine was collected by attaching a urine pouch to the prepuce of the male piglets. This non-invasive technique made it possible to easily collect urine at different time points. Blood was either collected by a surgically-placed jugular vein catheter (at the age of eight days (n = 4) and four weeks (n = 2)) or by direct venipuncture of the jugular vein (at four (n = 2) and eight weeks (n = 4)), both at 12 time points within a 12h-time period. Results Surgery and anesthesia were uneventful. One piglet showed clinical signs of a septicemia five days after the first surgery and the animal was euthanized. No complications were encountered during the blood sampling in the other three piglets. The piglets were euthanized after eight weeks and the jugular veins were sampled for histological analysis. Negligible damage of the veins was observed, rendering catheterization and direct venipuncture suitable techniques for multiple blood collections in growing piglets. Catheterization at different age categories is, however, ethically more feasible. Conclusion The presented urine and blood sampling techniques make it possible to easily perform PK/PD studies in growing piglets. References Gasthuys E, Vandecasteele T, De Bruyne P, Walle J, De Backer P, Cornillie P, Devreese M, Croubels S. The Potential Use of Piglets as Human Pediatric Surrogate for Preclinical Pharmacokinetic and Pharmacodynamic Drug Testing. Current Pharmaceutical Design 2016; 22(26): 4069–4085.

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