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Home / Equine Research Bank / Sci Rep / Effects of Single-Dose Prucalopride on Intestinal Hypomotili...
Scientific reports2017; 7; 41526; doi: 10.1038/srep41526

Effects of Single-Dose Prucalopride on Intestinal Hypomotility in Horses: Preliminary Observations.

Abstract: Abnormalities of gastrointestinal motility are often a challenge in horses; however, the use of prokinetic drugs in such conditions must be firmly established yet. For this reason we carried out a preliminary study on the effects of prucalopride on intestinal motor activity of horses with gut hypomotility. The effect of prucalopride per os by oral dose syringe (2 mg/100 kg body weight) was assessed by abdominal ultrasound (evaluating duodenal, cecal, and colonic motor activity) in six horses with gut hypomotility. After administration of prucalopride, a significant increase of contractile activity was found in the duodenum at 30 minutes (p = 0.0005), 60 minutes (p = 0.01) and 90 minutes (p = 0.01), whereas in the cecum and in the left colon the increase was only present at 60 minutes (p = 0.03, and p = 0.02, respectively). No changes from baseline heart and respiratory rate or behavior side effects were observed after administration of the drug and throughout the observation period. Prucalopride may be a useful adjunct to the therapeutic armamentary for treating hypomotile upper gut conditions of horses. Dosing information is however needed to establish its actual clinical efficacy and its proper effects on the large bowel in these animals.
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Publication Date: 2017-01-27 PubMed ID: 28128322PubMed Central: PMC5269739DOI: 10.1038/srep41526Google Scholar: Lookup
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Summary

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The research article discusses a preliminary study conducted on the effect of a single dose of prucalopride on horses suffering from gut hypomotility, revealing the drug’s potential to increase intestinal motor activity without significant adverse effects.

Subject and Purpose of Study

  • The study focused on horses with gut hypomotility, a condition in which the intestines do not work efficiently to transport food through the digestive tract due to reduced motor activity.
  • The objective was to examine the impact of prucalopride, a prokinetic drug that boosts gastrointestinal movement, on the intestinal motor activity of horses affected by this condition.

Research Methodology

  • The effects of prucalopride were assessed on six horses suffering from gut hypomotility. The drug was administered orally at a dosage of 2 mg per 100 kg of the animal’s body weight.
  • The study employed abdominal ultrasound as a tool to measure the drug’s influence on duodenal, cecal, and colonic motor activity in horses. This activity indicates the functionality and efficiency of the digestive system.

Findings

  • Following the administration of prucalopride, a marked rise in contractile activity, which means an increase in the contracting and relaxing motion needed for digestion, was observed in the duodenum at 30, 60, and 90 minutes.
  • Increased contractile activity was also noted in the horse’s cecum and left colon, but only at the 60-minute mark.
  • No significant changes were reported in the baseline heart and respiratory rate, suggesting there were no substantial adverse effects on the horses’ overall physical condition as a result of the drug.
  • No behavioral side effects were noted post-administration of the drug, suggesting it was well-tolerated by these horses.

Conclusion and Future Research

  • The study concludes that prucalopride could be a beneficial addition to the treatment options for horses suffering from upper gut hypomotility. However, the study is preliminary, and its sample size is small.
  • To establish the clinical effectiveness and correct dosages of prucalopride, and to gain a better understanding of its effects on the large bowel in horses, further extensive studies are needed.

Cite This Article

APA
Laus F, Fratini M, Paggi E, Faillace V, Spaterna A, Tesei B, Fettucciari K, Bassotti G. (2017). Effects of Single-Dose Prucalopride on Intestinal Hypomotility in Horses: Preliminary Observations. Sci Rep, 7, 41526. https://doi.org/10.1038/srep41526

Publication

Scientific reports
ISSN: 2045-2322
NlmUniqueID: 101563288
Country: England
Language: English
Volume: 7
Pages: 41526
PII: 41526

Researcher Affiliations

Laus, Fulvio
  • School of Bioscences and Veterinary Medicine, University of Camerino, Via Circonvallazione 63/95, 62024 Matelica, Italy.
Fratini, Margherita
  • School of Bioscences and Veterinary Medicine, University of Camerino, Via Circonvallazione 63/95, 62024 Matelica, Italy.
Paggi, Emanuele
  • School of Bioscences and Veterinary Medicine, University of Camerino, Via Circonvallazione 63/95, 62024 Matelica, Italy.
Faillace, Vanessa
  • School of Bioscences and Veterinary Medicine, University of Camerino, Via Circonvallazione 63/95, 62024 Matelica, Italy.
Spaterna, Andrea
  • School of Bioscences and Veterinary Medicine, University of Camerino, Via Circonvallazione 63/95, 62024 Matelica, Italy.
Tesei, Beniamino
  • School of Bioscences and Veterinary Medicine, University of Camerino, Via Circonvallazione 63/95, 62024 Matelica, Italy.
Fettucciari, Katia
  • Department of Experimental Medicine, Perugia University School of Medicine, Piazzale Lucio Severi, 1, 06159 San Sisto (Perugia), Italy.
Bassotti, Gabrio
  • Department of Medicine, Perugia University School of Medicine, Piazzale Lucio Severi, 1, 06159 San Sisto (Perugia), Italy.

MeSH Terms

  • Animals
  • Benzofurans / administration & dosage
  • Benzofurans / pharmacology
  • Cecum / drug effects
  • Cecum / physiology
  • Colon / drug effects
  • Colon / physiology
  • Dose-Response Relationship, Drug
  • Duodenum / diagnostic imaging
  • Duodenum / physiology
  • Female
  • Gastrointestinal Motility / drug effects
  • Heart Rate / drug effects
  • Horses / physiology
  • Intestines / drug effects
  • Intestines / physiology
  • Muscle Contraction / drug effects
  • Respiratory Rate

Conflict of Interest Statement

The authors declare no competing financial interests.

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Citations

This article has been cited 4 times.
  1. Beder NA, Mourad AA, Aly MA. Ultrasonographic evaluation of the effects of the administration of neostigmine and metoclopramide on duodenal, cecal, and colonic contractility in Arabian horses: A comparative study. Vet World 2020 Nov;13(11):2447-2451.
    doi: 10.14202/vetworld.2020.2447-2451pubmed: 33363340google scholar: lookup
  2. Bassotti G, Antonelli E, Villanacci V, Nascimbeni R, Dore MP, Pes GM, Maconi G. Abnormal gut motility in inflammatory bowel disease: an update. Tech Coloproctol 2020 Apr;24(4):275-282.
    doi: 10.1007/s10151-020-02168-ypubmed: 32062797google scholar: lookup
  3. Cappelli K, Gialletti R, Tesei B, Bassotti G, Fettucciari K, Capomaccio S, Bonfili L, Cuccioloni M, Eleuteri AM, Spaterna A, Laus F. Guanylin, Uroguanylin and Guanylate Cyclase-C Are Expressed in the Gastrointestinal Tract of Horses. Front Physiol 2019;10:1237.
    doi: 10.3389/fphys.2019.01237pubmed: 31611814google scholar: lookup
  4. Raidal SL, Freccero F, Carstens A, Weaver S, Padalino B. Road transportation is associated with decreased intestinal motility in horses. Front Vet Sci 2025;12:1647236.
    doi: 10.3389/fvets.2025.1647236pubmed: 40901066google scholar: lookup
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