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Home / Equine Research Bank / Vet Anaesth Analg / Effects of dopamine antagonists on alfentanil-induced locomo...
Veterinary anaesthesia and analgesia2003; 30(3); 165-171; doi: 10.1046/j.1467-2995.2003.00134.x

Effects of dopamine antagonists on alfentanil-induced locomotor activity in horses.

Abstract: To determine whether specific dopamine receptor antagonists block alfentanil-induced locomotor stimulation in horses. Methods: Randomized, prospective, crossover experiment. Methods: Eight adult horses (462-604 kg). Methods: Doses of dopamine-1 (D1) (NNC 01-0756) and dopamine-2 (D2) antagonists (eticlopride) were selected in a pilot study prior to a three part, blinded, cross-over study. In part 1, horses received 7.5 micro g kg-1 eticlopride, 5 micro g kg-1 NNC 01-0756 or an equal volume of saline. In part 2, they received both antagonists and in part 3, acepromazine at 0.05 mg kg-1. Locomotor activity was assessed by counting the steps taken by a marked forefoot per 2 minutes. The D antagonist was injected IV after a 20-minute control period. The horses were observed for 10 minutes before alfentanil (20 micro g kg-1) was injected IV. Locomotor activity was then monitored for 60 minutes. Statistical analysis was performed on step counts following alfentanil normalised by subtracting the mean control step count from each value recorded after alfentanil. Data were analysed using Friedman tests and Tukey-Kramer comparisons. Results: Alfentanil increased locomotor activity for 10 minutes. NNC 01-0756 tended to reduce locomotor activity between 0 and 10 minutes (p = 0.261), but neither D antagonist suppressed it significantly. The combination of D antagonists induced more step counts than saline or acepromazine (p = 0.0265) in the 20-40-minute period and more than saline, acepromazine or eticlopride between 40 and 60 minutes (p = 0.0003). Conclusions: Neither D1 nor D2 antagonists inhibited alfentanil-induced locomotor activity. Both drugs appeared to cause locomotor stimulation of their own. Conclusions: D1 and D2 antagonism did not reduce opioid-induced excitement in horses and is not suitable for reducing the incidence of this unwanted side-effect of opioids.
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Publication Date: 2003-09-23 PubMed ID: 14498848DOI: 10.1046/j.1467-2995.2003.00134.xGoogle Scholar: Lookup
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  • Clinical Trial
  • Journal Article
  • Randomized Controlled Trial
  • Research Support
  • Non-U.S. Gov't

Summary

This research summary has been generated with artificial intelligence and may contain errors and omissions. Refer to the original study to confirm details provided. Submit correction.

This research study investigates whether dopamine antagonists can prevent the locomotor stimulation caused by the drug alfentanil in horses. The results suggest that the dopamine antagonists tested do not inhibit this reaction and actually appear to stimulate locomotion on their own.

Research Method

  • In this study, a range of drug trials were conducted in a cross-over experiment, with eight adult horses serving as the sample size. Cross-over studies are advantageous as they allow subjects to serve as their own control, reducing the variability and potential for bias.
  • The experiment was designed in three parts. The horses were administered different doses of dopamine-1 (D1) and dopamine-2 (D2) antagonists or saline. In part two, they received both antagonists, and in part three, they were given acepromazine.
  • The primary measure of the research was locomotor activity, gauged by counting the number of steps a marked forefoot took in a span of two minutes.

Findings and Analysis

  • The data showed that alfentanil increased the horses’ locomotor activity for the 10 minutes following injection. Though there was a tendency for the D1 antagonist to reduce this activity, the decrease was not statistically significant. Similarly, the D2 antagonist did not significantly inhibit this reaction.
  • Interestingly, the dual administration of both D1 and D2 antagonists resulted in more significant locomotor activity than administering saline or acepromazine.
  • Statistical analysis of the step count data was performed using Friedman tests and Tukey-Kramer comparisons. These are common statistical methods used for comparing multiple treatment groups as in this study.

Conclusion

  • The study concluded that neither D1 nor D2 antagonists were effective at inhibiting alfentanil-induced locomotion in horses. In fact, both drugs seemed to induce locomotor stimulation of their own.
  • This suggests that using these dopamine antagonists would not help mitigate the unwanted side effects of opioids like alfentanil in horses. This discovery shapes future medication strategies for these animals and reduces the options for managing the side effects of opioid use in equine populations.

Cite This Article

APA
Pascoe PJ, Taylor PM. (2003). Effects of dopamine antagonists on alfentanil-induced locomotor activity in horses. Vet Anaesth Analg, 30(3), 165-171. https://doi.org/10.1046/j.1467-2995.2003.00134.x

Publication

Veterinary anaesthesia and analgesia
ISSN: 1467-2987
NlmUniqueID: 100956422
Country: United States
Language: English
Volume: 30
Issue: 3
Pages: 165-171

Researcher Affiliations

Pascoe, Peter J
  • Department of Surgical and Radiological Sciences, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California, USA.
Taylor, Polly M

    MeSH Terms

    • Alfentanil / adverse effects
    • Alfentanil / antagonists & inhibitors
    • Analgesics, Opioid / adverse effects
    • Analgesics, Opioid / antagonists & inhibitors
    • Animals
    • Benzazepines / pharmacology
    • Benzofurans / pharmacology
    • Cross-Over Studies
    • Dopamine Antagonists / pharmacology
    • Dose-Response Relationship, Drug
    • Horses / physiology
    • Locomotion / drug effects
    • Motor Activity / drug effects
    • Pilot Projects
    • Prospective Studies
    • Salicylamides / pharmacology

    Citations

    This article has been cited 5 times.
    1. Digranes N, Haga HA, Nordgreen J. High and Hyper: Fentanyl Induces Psychomotor Side-Effects in Healthy Pigs.. Animals (Basel) 2023 May 17;13(10).
      doi: 10.3390/ani13101671pubmed: 37238100google scholar: lookup
    2. López-Sanromán FJ, Montes Freilich G, Gómez-Cisneros D, Izquierdo-Moreno J, Varela Del Arco M, Manso-Díaz G. Morphine with or without Acepromazine in Horses: A Kinematic Evaluation.. Animals (Basel) 2022 May 6;12(9).
      doi: 10.3390/ani12091193pubmed: 35565620google scholar: lookup
    3. Emanuel D, Kästner SBR, Delarocque J, Grob AJ, Bienert-Zeit A. Influence of Butorphanol, Buprenorphine and Levomethadone on Sedation Quality and Postoperative Analgesia in Horses Undergoing Cheek Tooth Extraction.. Vet Sci 2022 Apr 6;9(4).
      doi: 10.3390/vetsci9040174pubmed: 35448672google scholar: lookup
    4. Gargiulo S, Gramanzini M, Liuzzi R, Greco A, Brunetti A, Vesce G. Effects of some anesthetic agents on skin microcirculation evaluated by laser Doppler perfusion imaging in mice.. BMC Vet Res 2013 Dec 17;9:255.
      doi: 10.1186/1746-6148-9-255pubmed: 24341447google scholar: lookup
    5. Poller C, Hopster K, Rohn K, Kästner SB. Nociceptive thermal threshold testing in horses - effect of neuroleptic sedation and neuroleptanalgesia at different stimulation sites.. BMC Vet Res 2013 Jul 9;9:135.
      doi: 10.1186/1746-6148-9-135pubmed: 23837730google scholar: lookup
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