Uptake and depuration of eight fluoroquinolones (FQs) in common carp (Cyprinus carpio)

Abstract

Fluoroquinolones (FQs) are extensively used in humans and animals, which have aroused wide attention due to the emergence of FQ resistant bacteria and frequent detection in water, sediment and organism. However, little information is available about the bioconcentration and tissue distribution of FQs in fish. In the present study, we investigated the uptake and depuration of eight FQs (balofloxacin (BAL), enoxacin (ENO), enrofloxacin (ENR), fleroxacin (FLE), lomefloxacin (LOM), moxifloxacin (MOX), ofloxacin (OFL), sparfloxacin (SPA)) in common carp under controlled laboratory conditions. The results showed that all target FQs could accumulate in fish tissues, and had a similar tendency over time during the whole uptake and depuration periods. The uptake rate constant (k1), depuration rate constant (k2) and half-lives (t1/2) were in the ranges of 0.007–3.599 L/(kg·d), 0.051–0.283 d−1 and 2.4–10.7 d, respectively. The ranges of bioconcentration factors (BCFs) were 0.24–39.55 L/kg, 0.21–24.97 L/kg and 0.04–1.07 L/kg in liver, kidney and muscle, respectively. BCFs of eight FQs decreased in the order: MOX > ENR > ENO ≈ BAL ≈ FLE ≈ OFL ≈ LOM ≈ SPA, which may be correlated with the substituents at positions 7 and 8 of the basic quinolone nucleus and the metabolic capacity. Besides, BCFs were relative with pH-adjusted distribution coefficient (log D), suggesting that molecular status of ionizable compounds strongly influenced the bioconcentration processes. The present study provides important insights for understanding the bioconcentration and tissues distribution of FQs.