Effects of flunixin meglumine on the recovery of ischaemic equine colonic mucosa in vitro.

This research examines the impact of a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug called flunixin meglumine on the recovery of the mucosa, or lining, of a horse’s colon after it has experiencing ischaemia, a condition of reduced blood supply. The study found that flunixin meglumine did not negatively affect the integrity of the colonic mucosa barrier.

Research Methodology

• The researchers involved 14 anaesthetised horses in their study.
• The pelvic flexure, a part of the colon, was subjected to two hours of ischaemia (insufficient blood supply). The horses were then allowed a recovery period of 18 hours.
• The horses were split into two groups. One group was given normal saline, and the other group was treated with flunixin meglumine. The dosage given was 1.1 mg/kg body weight, administered intravenously. The treatment was given two times – once at the end of the ischaemia period, and another time 12 hours later.
• The colonic mucosa was harvested from the horses during a second round of anaesthesia, 18 hours after the ischaemia recovery period. Post this, the horses were euthanised.

Measurements and Assessments

• The scientists used Transepithelial Electrical Resistance (TER) and Transepithelial Flux of tritiated mannitol as indicators to measure the permeability of the colonic mucosa. These measurements were taken over a four-hour incubation period in Ussing chambers.
• The mucosa was subjected to various in vitro treatments – without any addition, with flunixin meglumine in powdered form, with injectable flunixin meglumine, and lastly, with the diluent used for the flunixin meglumine injection.
• Light microscopy was utilised to evaluate the histomorphological changes – the changes in the structure and form of the tissues.

Research Findings

• The research showed no significant differences between the saline and the flunixin-meglumine-treated groups, pointing towards the non-harmful effects of flunixin meglumine.
• However, when the tissues affected by ischaemia were incubated in the diluent, there was noticeable ‘height’ reduction when compared to non-ischemic tissues.
• The central takeaway from the experiment is that using flunixin meglumine does not adversely affect the repair of the colonic mucosa in horses recovering from ischaemia.