The pharmacokinetics of ochratoxin A in rats.

The absorption and tissue distribution of ochratoxin A (OCT A) following a single oral dose of OCT A were investigated in adult, male Wistar rats. In experiments concerning excretory patterns of OCT A, 14C-OCT A was used. A relatively large amount of OCT A was found in the circulating blood 48 hours after dosing. The patterns of absorption, tissue distribution and excretion of OCT A were affected by acute catarrhal enteritis produced by OCT A and/or ochratoxin alpha(OCT alpha). Quantitative data show that OCT A is distributed mostly in the kidney and this finding is closely associated with the tissue specifity of OCT A-induced nephrotoxicity. OCT A was found to be hydrolyzed to its major metabolite, OCT alpha by addition of the homogenate of pancreas, duodenum and ileum. Approximately 56% of OCT A administered was excreted in both urine and feces as the unchanged toxin and OCT alpha during 120 hours following dosing. A relatively larger amount of OCT alpha was detected as compared with that of OCT A.