In vitro evaluation of the effect of the opioid antagonist N-methylnaltrexone on motility of the equine jejunum and pelvic flexure.

REASONS FOR PERFORMING STUDY: Although potent analgesics, opioids decrease intestinal activity, leading to ileus in many species. N-methylnaltrexone (MNTX), an opioid antagonist which does not cross the blood-brain barrier and antagonises the morphine effect on the intestine, directly stimulates motility and restores function without affecting analgesic properties. While its use has been reported in human subjects, there is no information with regard to its usage in the horse. OBJECTIVES: To determine whether MNTX has an effect on contractile activity of the equine jejunum and pelvic flexure. METHODS: Using circular smooth muscle strips obtained from 8 mature horses, increasing concentrations of MNTX were added to tissue baths in the range of 1 x 10(-9) to 1 x 10(-5) mol/l, and contractile responses were recorded for 3 mins. Data were analysed using a repeated measures ANOVA to determine whether there was a significant drug effect compared to baseline activity. Data were analysed between the jejunum and pelvic flexure using a Mann-Whitney U test. Statistical significance was established as P < 0.05. RESULTS: The administration of MNTX significantly increased the contractile frequency and amplitude at all concentrations relative to baseline (P < 0.0001) for the jejunum. The response was greatest at 1 x 10(-7) mol/l (P = 0.0005), with a mean difference from baseline of 115.12 g/cm2. The highest concentration evaluated (1 x 10(-5) mol/l) had a mean contractile strength of 69.76 g/cm2, which was significantly greater than baseline activity (P = 0.04). A significant increase in contractile activity for the colon was detected at 3 x 10(-7) mol/l and all subsequent concentrations (P < 0.04). Unlike the jejunum, the contractile activity of the pelvic flexure increased progressively with the addition of each subsequent concentration. CONCLUSIONS: N-methylnaltrexone has a direct effect on circular smooth muscle of the equine jejunum and pelvic flexure resulting in an increase in contractile activity. POTENTIAL RELEVANCE: N-methylnaltrexone could potentially be used in conjunction with morphine to provide potent and effective analgesia without compromising intestinal function. Further in vivo investigations are required to determine whether this agent antagonises morphine's effect on motility.

Ketamine reduces lethality on the acute ammonia intoxication in mice.

Injection of large doses of ammonia (1.2g/kg, i.p.) was used to induce acute toxicity in mice which was characterized by hyperresponsiveness, taquipnea, clonic and tonic seizures and death. Pretreatment with 20, 40, or 80 mg/Kg, i.p., of ketamine increased 30 to 55% survival rate. This pretreatment significantly retarded the beginning of the first tonic convulsion attenuating its intensity and delayed the time of the animal death; but did not alter the onset of the first clonic seizures. These experiments may be an evidence that support the hypothesis that seizures due to hyperammonemia involve activation of excitatory amino acid receptors.