Effects of furosemide and pentoxifylline on blood flow properties in horses.
Abstract: The effects of furosemide and pentoxifylline on blood flow properties in horses were investigated. Hematologic and rheologic changes were examined in 4 horses before and 3 minutes after administration of epinephrine (1 mg, IV). The next day, hemorheologic changes were determined before and 3 hours after administration of furosemide (1 mg/kg of body weight, IM), and after administration of epinephrine at the sampling at 3 hours. Hematologic and rheologic changes were evaluated weekly in 3 horses given pentoxifylline (8.5 mg/kg, q 12 h, PO) for 28 days. In addition, hemorheologic responses to epinephrine were determined on days 0, 14, and 28 of pentoxifylline treatment. Neutrophil filtration studies were also performed 2 hours after IV administration of pentoxifylline (8.5 mg/kg). Postepinephrine values for PCV, RBC and WBC counts, and blood viscosity were greater than preepinephrine values. Erythrocyte sedimentation rates decreased after epinephrine, whereas RBC filterability did not change. Treatment with furosemide was associated with increases in mean RBC hemoglobin concentration and blood viscosity. Filterability of RBC did not change. Treatment with pentoxifyllie resulted in an increase in RBC filterability and erythrocyte sedimentation rate and a decrease in PCV; however, mean values for hematocrit and RBC count did not change. Treatment with pentoxifylline did not result in a change in resting blood viscosity, but markedly reduced the postepinephrine increase in blood viscosity. Neither IV nor orally administered pentoxifylline had an effect on neutrophil filtration. It was concluded that pentoxifylline has beneficial effects on RBC filterability and postepinephrine changes in blood viscosity, which may contribute to improvements of microcirculatory blood flow. In addition, furosemide may exacerbate exercise-associated hyperviscosity in horses.
Publication Date: 1992-11-01 PubMed ID: 1466500
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- Journal Article
- Research Support
- Non-U.S. Gov't
Summary
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The research examines the impacts of using furosemide and pentoxifylline drugs in horses. The key outcomes show that pentoxifylline provided beneficial changes in blood viscosity and red blood cell (RBC) filterability, while furosemide may worsen hyperviscosity linked to horse exercise.
Experimental Design and Procedure
- The study involved analyzing hematologic and rheologic changes in blood flow in horses.
- Four horses were examined before and three minutes after they were given a dose of epinephrine intravenously (1mg).
- The following day, the researchers tracked changes in blood flow before and three hours after administering furosemide (1mg/kg of body weight).
- For 28 days, hematologic and rheologic changes were monitored in three horses given pentoxifylline (8.5 mg/kg, twice a day).
- The scientists also tracked hematologic responses to epinephrine during the 28-day pentoxifylline treatment on days 0, 14, and 28.
- Additional filtration studies were performed on the white blood cells, neutrophils, two hours after giving pentoxifylline intravenously.
Key Findings
- The results showed an increase in the concentrations of several blood parameters (PCV, RBC and WBC counts, blood viscosity) after the administration of epinephrine.
- The RBC’s filtration capability remained unchanged after the injection of epinephrine, while the erythrocyte sedimentation rates decreased.
- Administering furosemide brought about an increase in mean RBC hemoglobin concentration and blood viscosity, but did not alter the RBC’s filterability.
- Pentoxifylline administration increased the RBC’s filterability and enhanced erythrocyte sedimentation but decreased the PCV. Moreover, the hematocrit and RBC count remained the same after pentoxifylline was used.
- Pentoxifylline did not alter the resting blood viscosity. However, it significantly decreased the blood viscosity following an epinephrine increase.
- Both oral and intravenous application of pentoxifylline did not affect the filtration of neutrophils.
Conclusion
- The findings surmise that pentoxifylline is beneficial in improving blood viscosity and the RBC’s filterability following an epinephrine increase.
- This suggests that pentoxifylline may contribute to enhancing the microcirculatory blood flow in horses.
- In contrast, the blood-thinning drug, furosemide, could worsen hyperviscosity related to horse exercise.
Cite This Article
APA
Geor RJ, Weiss DJ, Burris SM, Smith CM.
(1992).
Effects of furosemide and pentoxifylline on blood flow properties in horses.
Am J Vet Res, 53(11), 2043-2049.
Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Department of Clinical and Population Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Minnesota, St Paul 55108.
MeSH Terms
- Animals
- Blood Cell Count / drug effects
- Blood Circulation / drug effects
- Blood Circulation / physiology
- Blood Viscosity / drug effects
- Epinephrine / pharmacology
- Female
- Furosemide / pharmacology
- Horses / blood
- Horses / physiology
- Male
- Pentoxifylline / pharmacology
Citations
This article has been cited 5 times.- Mitchell CF, Fugler LA, Eades SC. The management of equine acute laminitis. Vet Med (Auckl) 2015;6:39-47.
- Cummins C, Carrington S, Fitzpatrick E, Duggan V. Ascending placentitis in the mare: A review. Ir Vet J 2008 May 1;61(5):307-13.
- Hoefner DM, Blank ME, Davis BM, Diedrich DF. Band 3 antagonists, p-azidobenzylphlorizin and DIDS, mediate erythrocyte shape and flexibility changes as characterized by digital image morphometry and microfiltration. J Membr Biol 1994 Jul;141(1):91-100.
- Weiss DJ, Evanson OA, Geor RJ. The effects of furosemide and pentoxifylline on the flow properties of equine erythrocytes: in vitro studies. Vet Res Commun 1994;18(5):373-81.
- Van Duin CT, Wensing T, Van Miert AS. Pentoxifylline pretreatment fails to block the acute-phase response to Escherichia coli endotoxin in dwarf goats. Vet Res Commun 1995;19(2):149-57.
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