EFFECTS OF ACUTE BOVINE TRYPANOSOMOSIS (TRYPANOSOMA-VIVAX) ON PLASMA KINETICS OF INTRAVENOUSLY ADMINISTERED LACTOSE

Four calves infected with Trypanosoma vivax and four uninfected contro l calves were each injected intravenously with repeated doses of 0.5 g lactose kg(-1) body weight, thrice daily at intervals of 4 h. Plasma samples were collected at specified time intervals and analysed for la ctose. Pharmacokinetic parameters were calculated from the data. T. vi vax infection delayed excretion of lactose from the body, thus leading to significantly (P < 0.001) increased biological half life (t1/2) an d a significantly (P < 0.001) reduced elimination rate constant for la ctose in the body. The apparent volume of distribution and total clear ance of lactose were not affected by the infection. T. vivax infection also appeared to cause accumulation of lactose in the plasma after re peated intravenous administration. (C) 1998 Elsevier Science B.V.