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Equine veterinary journal2025; doi: 10.1111/evj.14499

Effects of vatinoxan on gastrointestinal motility, sedation, and antinociception during and after long-lasting detomidine infusion in horses.

Abstract: Sedation in horses is typically achieved using alpha-2 adrenoceptor agonists, although their use is associated with multiple side effects. A peripheral alpha-2 adrenoceptor antagonist, vatinoxan, can alleviate many of these. Objective: To evaluate the effects of vatinoxan infusion on gastrointestinal motility, sedation, and antinociception in horses sedated with detomidine infusion. Methods: Randomised, blinded cross-over in vivo experiments. Methods: Eight horses were given two 4-h infusions: detomidine (0.01 mg/kg + 0.015 mg/kg/h IV) (DET) and a combination of detomidine and vatinoxan (0.15 mg/kg + 0.05 mg/kg/h IV) (DET + VAT). Plastic marker balls were administered via nasogastric entubation before the start of the infusion. Borborygmi score was monitored. The expelling of balls and faecal output were repeatedly monitored for 72 h after the infusion. Sedation score (SS) and antinociception were monitored during the infusion. Results: Borborygmi score remained significantly higher during DET + VAT infusion and the following hour than with DET (p < 0.05) at different time points. Median (range) cumulative weight of faeces was significantly higher with DET + VAT [6.25 kg (3.52-8.65)] than with DET [2.85 kg (1.7-6.6)] (p = 0.007) during the first 8 h after the end of infusion. The markers were expelled significantly faster after DET (mean AUC 3928 ± 1620) than after DET + VAT (mean AUC 2460 ± 1199) infusion (p = 0.02). All animals were appropriately sedated. Median SS was significantly lower at 60 min during DET + VAT [7 (5-7)] than during DET [7.5 (7, 8)] (p = 0.04). No other significant differences were detected in SS or antinociception between treatments. Conclusions: Vatinoxan significantly improved the borborygmi score. Horses treated with DET + VAT passed more faeces in the initial period after infusion, although the expelling of plastic balls was faster with DET. Combining vatinoxan with detomidine infusion may slightly reduce the level of sedation in the initial phase of infusion. Vatinoxan may improve gastrointestinal motility in horses treated with detomidine infusion. Unassigned: Agonistas dos receptores adrenérgicos alfa‐2 são comumente utilizados para sedação em cavalos, embora seu uso esteja associado a múltiplos efeitos colaterais. Um antagonista periférico do receptor adrenérgico alfa‐2, vatinoxan, pode aliviar muitos desses efeitos. Objective: Avaliar os efeitos da infusão de vatinoxan na motilidade gastrointestinal, sedação e antinocicepção em cavalos sedados com infusão de detomidina. Unassigned: Estudo in vivo, randomizado, cego e cruzado. MÉTODOS: Oito cavalos receberam duas infusões de quatro horas: detomidina (0,01 mg/kg + 0,015 mg/kg/h IV) (DET) e uma combinação de detomidina e vatinoxan (0,15 mg/kg + 0,05 mg/kg/h IV) (DET + VAT). Bolas marcadoras de plástico foram administrada via tubo nasogástrico antes do início da infusão. O escore de borborigmos foi monitorado. A expulsão das bolas e a produção faecal foram monitoradas repetidamente por 72 horas após a infusão. O escore de sedação (ES) e a antinocicepção foram monitorados durante a infusão. Results: O escore de borborigmos permaneceu significativamente mais alto durante a infusão de DET + VAT e na hora seguinte do que com DET (p < 0,05) em diferentes momentos. O peso cumulativo mediano (intervalo) das fezes foi significativamente maior com DET + VAT [6,25 kg (3,52‐8,65)] do que com DET [2,85 kg (1, 6)] (p = 0,007) nas primeiras 8 horas após o fim da infusão. Os marcadores foram expelidos significativamente mais rápido após DET (média AUC 3928 ± 1620) do que após a infusão de DET + VAT (média AUC 2460 ± 1199; p = 0,02). Todos os animais foram adequadamente sedados. O ES mediano foi significativamente menor aos 60 minutos durante DET + VAT [7 (5–7)] do que durante DET [7,5 (7, 8)] (p = 0,041). Nenhuma outra diferença foi detectada no ES ou na antinocicepção entre os tratamentos. CONCLUSÕES: Vatinoxan melhorou significativamente o escore de borborigmos. Cavalos tratados com DET + VAT passaram mais fezes no período inicial após a infusão, embora a expulsão de bolas de plástico tenha sido mais rápida com DET. A combinação de vatinoxan com a infusão de detomidina pode reduzir ligeiramente o nível de sedação na fase inicial da infusão. Vatinoxan talvez melore a motilidade gastrointestinal em cavalos tratados com infusão de detomidina.
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Publication Date: 2025-03-20 PubMed ID: 40110892DOI: 10.1111/evj.14499Google Scholar: Lookup
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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.

The research investigates the effect of the drug vatinoxan, which is an antagonist, when used in combination with detomidine, a sedative frequently used in horses. The study shows that vatinoxan can help to alleviate the side effects of detomidine, primarily the decrease in gastrointestinal motility.

Objective

  • The main aim of this research was to study the impacts of vatinoxan infusion on three key areas: gastrointestinal motility, sedation, and antinociception (relief from pain) in horses when used with detomidine.

Method

  • The researchers conducted an in vivo experiment involving eight horses. The horses were randomly assigned to one of two treatment groups: one group received detomidine only (DET) and the other received a combination of detomidine and vatinoxan (DET + VAT).
  • Each horse participated in two four-hour infusion sessions where they were administered the respective treatments. For the DET group, they received 0.01mg/kg initially followed by a dose of 0.015mg/kg/hour of detomidine, while the DET + VAT group received an initial dose of 0.15mg/kg of vatinoxan followed by 0.05mg/kg/hour in addition to the detomidine.
  • Prior to the infusions, each horse was given plastic marker balls using a nasogastric tube. Observations were then made for gastrointestinal activity (borborygmi score), sedation levels and the passage of feces and marker balls for up to 72 hours post-infusion.

Findings

  • The results showed that the DET + VAT group had significantly higher borborygmi scores during the infusion and up to an hour afterwards compared to the DET group. This suggests that the combination of detomidine and vatinoxan improves gastrointestinal motility.
  • Overall, horses in the DET + VAT group passed more feces in the initial eight hours after the infusion ended. However, the transit time of the plastic markers was faster in the DET group, indicating faster gastrointestinal transit in the absence of vatinoxan.
  • While all animals were appropriately sedated, at the 60-minute mark, the DET + VAT group showed a slightly reduced sedation score compared to the DET group.
  • No significant differences between the two groups were observed in terms of pain relief (antinociception) during the study.

Conclusion

  • The findings of the study conclude that vatinoxan can significantly improve gastrointestinal motility in horses sedated with detomidine. It also suggested a slight reduction in the level of sedation in the initial phase of sedation when both drugs were used in combination.

Cite This Article

APA
Obrochta B, Tapio H, Raekallio M, Gracia Calvo LA, Pöyhönen RR, Hagman K, Jantunen N, Karikoski N. (2025). Effects of vatinoxan on gastrointestinal motility, sedation, and antinociception during and after long-lasting detomidine infusion in horses. Equine Vet J. https://doi.org/10.1111/evj.14499

Publication

Equine veterinary journal
ISSN: 2042-3306
NlmUniqueID: 0173320
Country: United States
Language: English

Researcher Affiliations

Obrochta, Bartlomiej
  • Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Department of Equine and Small Animal Medicine, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland.
Tapio, Heidi
  • Veterinary Teaching Hospital, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland.
Raekallio, Marja
  • Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Department of Equine and Small Animal Medicine, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland.
Gracia Calvo, Luis Alfonso
  • Veterinary Teaching Hospital, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland.
Pöyhönen, Rebecca Rivera
  • Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Estonian University of Life Sciences, Tartu, Estonia.
Hagman, Kati
  • Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies, University of Edinburgh, Midlothian, UK.
Jantunen, Noora
  • Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Department of Equine and Small Animal Medicine, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland.
Karikoski, Ninja
  • Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Department of Equine and Small Animal Medicine, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland.

Grant Funding

  • Vetcare

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