Safety Assessment of Mefepronic Acid in Sheep.

BACKGROUND: Mefepronic acid is used as a choleretic agent in different animal species. Although mefepronic acid is used extra-label in sheep, information on its safety in this species is limited. The aim of this study was to determine the effects of mefepronic acid on serum oxidative stress, lipid metabolism and organ function parameters in sheep. METHODS: Mefepronic acid was administered to 10 sheep at a dose of 10 mg/kg (intramuscular, once daily, 3 days). Blood samples were taken at 0 and at 24, 48 and 72 h. 8-OHdG, MDA, SOD, GPX, CAT, CK-MB isoenzyme, troponin I, serum ALP, AST, ALT, total bilirubin, BUN, creatinine, cholesterol, triglycerides, LDL and HDL levels were measured. RESULTS: Mefepronic acid administration resulted in a transient increase in 8-OHdG levels (p < 0.05) and a decrease in CAT levels (p < 0.05), a transient increase in CK-MB isoenzyme levels (p < 0.05), and a decrease in BUN, HDL and LDL levels (p < 0.05), but no effect on other parameters (p > 0.05). CONCLUSION: Administration of mefepronic acid to sheep may cause transient changes in oxidative stress parameters and CK-MB isoenzyme levels. However, these changes were not associated with an increase in troponin I levels or clinically significant myocardial damage. Mefepronic acid did not cause clinically significant adverse effects on liver or kidney function parameters.