Effects of the cyclooxygenase inhibitor meloxicam on recovery of ischemia-injured equine jejunum.

This is a scientific study exploring the effects of meloxicam and flunixin meglumine, two anti-inflammatory drugs, on the recovery of blood flow-injured intestinal tissue (jejunum) in horses. The findings suggest that intravenous administration of meloxicam may be an effective alternative treatment for horses suffering from colic post-surgery.

Methodology

• Horses in this study were offered three different treatments: a saline solution, flunixin meglumine, or meloxicam – all administered intravenously.
• These treatments were administered one hour before ischemia (restriction in blood supply to tissues) was induced for two hours in a part of the jejunum.
• The horses were then monitored, allowed to recover for 18 hours, and assessed for various clinical variables, pain scores, and the pharmacokinetics of meloxicam.
• All three treatments were repeated before the horses were euthanized for post-mortem investigation.
• Post-mortem examinations involved assessing the functionality of the epithelial barriers, histological evaluations, and western blot analysis of the ischemia-injured and control samples of jejunal mucosa.

Results

• The results revealed improved postoperative pain scores and clinical variables in horses treated with meloxicam or flunixin compared to those receiving the saline solution.
• The restoration of transepithelial barrier function in ischemia-injured jejunum was hampered by flunixin but favorably processed with meloxicam and saline solution treatments.
• Eighteen hours after ischemia ceased, higher neutrophil numbers were observed in ischemia-injured tissue from horses treated with meloxicam or flunixin compared to saline.
• The concentration of meloxicam in the blood plasma was consistent with prior reports, but the clearing process was slower than anticipated.
• Protein expression linked to inflammatory responses to ischemic injury and various drug treatments showed changes, highlighting possible effects beyond those related to cyclooxygenase inhibition.

Conclusions

• On the basis of these findings, the IV administration of meloxicam emerges as a potential viable alternative to flunixin meglumine for the postoperative management of horses with colic.
• However, the researchers recommend further assessment to confirm their findings and understand the practical application of this alternative treatment.