title: Concentrations of beta-carotene (Carofertin) and vitamin A in plasma of pigs after intramuscular injection of beta-carotene.
abstract: Limited information is available about the absorption and distribution of parenterally administered beta-carotene in pigs.Therefore plasma concentrations and pharmacokinetic parameters of beta-carotene, its influence on plasma vitamin A concentration as well as the safety and tolerability of an intramuscularly administered beta-carotene preparation (Carofertin) were analysed. Five gilts were injected with a single dose of 70 mg beta-carotene in an injectable aqueous solution. The mean pre-treatment plasma beta-carotene concentration was below 10 microg/ml. After injection, plasma beta-carotene values increased rapidly and reached a peak of 13.8 +/- 5.4 microg/ml after 24 hours. For a duration of 72 hours, plasma beta-carotene concentrations were significantly increased compared to baseline values (p < 0.05).The mean half-life of beta-carotene in plasma was 7.2 +/- 1.4 hours.The single dose of 70 mg beta-carotene did not significantly affect plasma vitamin A concentrations. Tolerability and safety of the administered preparation were good. No side effects related to the medication were observed.
authors.affiliation: Clinic for Obstetrics, Gynecology and Andrology, University of Veterinary Sciences, Vienna, Austria.
authors.forename: Gabriele
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Krammer
authors.forename: Jörg
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Aurich
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D019540:Area Under Curve; D001682:Biological Availability; D005260:Female; D007273:Injections, Intramuscular / Q000662:veterinary; D007408:Intestinal Absorption; D012449:Safety; D013552:Swine / Q000097:blood*; D014801:Vitamin A / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000097:blood*; D019207:beta Carotene / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000097:blood / Q000493:pharmacokinetics*
chemical_list: D019207:beta Carotene; D014801:Vitamin A