Analysis and pharmacokinetics of cyclopiazonic acid in market weight pigs

The pharmacokinetic behavior of cyclopiazonic acid (CPA) was determined in market weight pigs using a competitive indirect ELISA developed for the det ermination of the mycotoxin in various biological matrices. Sample preparat ion for corn and skeletal muscle was achieved with a single extraction and recoveries of 53 +/- 6% over the effective range of the standard curve. The detection limit of CPA was 1 ppb in plasma, which required no extraction, and 20 ppb in corn and skeletal muscle with average intra- and interassay C V of 11 and 23% respectively. Levels of CPA contamination in corn grown and stored in Michigan were unremarkable compared with published toxicity thre sholds; the highest level of CPA found in any sample was 47 ppb. In pigs gi ven a 20-mg i.v. bolus, CPA distributed rapidly among three compartments, w ith an overall volume of distribution (49 L) nearly equivalent to total bod y water. Cyclopiazonic acid was eliminated with a half-life of 24 h. Estima tes of these pharmacokinetic parameters were supported by the achievement o f steady-state plasma CPA levels within 6 d in pigs consuming a diet contai ning 10 ppm CPA, and by measured concentrations of CPA in plasma (410 +/- 4 4 ng/mL) and skeletal muscle (469 +/- 86 ng/ g). From these and other data, we concluded that the threat of CFA toxicity to livestock from consumption of cereal grains or to humans from consumption of animal products is minim al.