Toxicokinetic study and absolute oral bioavailability of deoxynivalenol, T-2 toxin and zearalenone in broiler chickens

Mycotoxins lead to economic losses in animal production. A way to counteract mycotoxicosis is the use of detoxifiers. The European Food Safety Authority stated that the efficacy of detoxifiers should be investigated based on toxicokinetic studies. Little information is available on the absolute oral bioavailability and the toxicokinetic parameters of deoxynivalenol, T-2 and zearalenone in broilers. Toxins were administered intravenously and orally in a two-way cross-over design. For deoxynivalenol a bolus of 0.75 mg/kg BW was administered, for T-2 toxin 0.02 mg/kg BW and for zearalenone 0.3 mg/kg BW. Blood was collected at several time points. Plasma levels of the mycotoxins and their metabolite(s) were quantified using LC-MS/MS methods and toxicokinetic parameters were analyzed. Deoxynivalenol has a low absolute oral bioavailability (19.3%). For zearalenone and T-2 no plasma levels above the limit of quantification were observed after an oral bolus. Volumes of distribution were recorded, i.e. 4.99, 0.14 and 22.26 L/kg for deoxynivalenol, T-2 toxin and zearalenone, respectively. Total body clearance was 0.12, 0.03 and 0.48 L/min kg for deoxynivalenol, T-2 toxin and zearalenone, respectively. After IV administration, T-2 toxin had the shortest elimination half-life (3.9 min), followed by deoxynivalenol (27.9 min) and zearalenone (31.8 min).

► Efficacy of mycotoxin-detoxifying agents has to be investigated by toxicokinetic studies (EFSA). ► Toxicokinetic studies for DON, T-2 and ZEN were performed in a two-way cross-over design. ► DON has a low absolute oral bioavailability. ► ZEN and T-2 could not be detected in plasma (above the LOQ) after a single oral bolus. ► Plasma concentrations of the parent mycotoxin and their metabolites cannot be used as biomarkers for efficacy testing.