Evaluation of efficacy of mineral oil, charcoal, and smectite in a rat model of equine cantharidin toxicosis.
Abstract: The efficacy of orally administered therapeutics for the treatment of cantharidin intoxication has not been evaluated in controlled studies. Objective: To develop a model of acute cantharidin intoxication in laboratory rats and to evaluate in this model the relative efficacy of 3 gastrointestinal therapies used to treat equine cantharidin toxicosis. Methods: Sixty-four male Sprague-Dawley rats. Methods: A blinded, randomized, controlled study was performed on rats surgically implanted with telemetry transmitters for evaluating heart rate, locomotor activity, and body temperature. Orogastric administration of cantharidin was performed within 15 seconds before administration of mineral oil, activated charcoal, or smectite. Negative control groups received therapeutic agents alone. Urine was collected for cantharidin analysis. Rats were sacrificed 24 hours after intoxication, and tissues were collected for histopathologic evaluation. Data analysis included ANOVA procedures and contingency tables. Results: Six of 8 cantharidin-intoxicated rats treated with mineral oil died; bradycardia and hypothermia developed in the animals of this group 0-8 hours after intoxication. Rats treated with mineral oil had higher urine cantharidin concentrations than rats receiving cantharidin alone or with smectite (P = .04). The most severe hypothermia (30.6°C ± 1.0) developed in rats administered mineral oil at 4-8 hours after intoxication, whereas those treated with charcoal (35.2°C ± 0.8) had mean body temperatures higher than all other treatment groups (P = .03). Survival times in the charcoal (P = .16) and smectite (P = .12) treatment groups were not statistically different from negative controls. Conclusions: Mineral oil is often used in the treatment of equine cantharidin toxicosis. Our findings suggest that mineral oil increases cantharidin absorption, worsening morbidity and fatality in rats.
Copyright © 2013 by the American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine.
Publication Date: 2013-09-17 PubMed ID: 24033422DOI: 10.1111/jvim.12164Google Scholar: Lookup
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- Journal Article
- Research Support
- Non-U.S. Gov't
Summary
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This study investigates the effectiveness of three types of orally administered therapies – mineral oil, charcoal, and smectite – for treating cantharidin poisoning in rats. The findings suggest that mineral oil, which is commonly used to treat cantharidin poisoning in equines, might increase cantharidin absorption, thereby exacerbating the condition.
Methodology
- The study was carried out on 64 male Sprague-Dawley rats. These were subjected to a randomized, blinded, and controlled experiment.
- In the experiment, the rats were surgically implanted with telemetry transmitters which permitted close monitoring of their heart rate, motion, and body temperature.
- The rats were then poisoned with cantharidin; this administration was done directly to the stomach. Within 15 seconds, the rats were given mineral oil, activated charcoal, or smectite. A negative control group was also established, where rats were given the therapies, but not the cantharidin.
- Urine samples were taken for cantharidin analysis, and after 24 hours, the rats were sacrificed for tissue collection and histopathologic evaluation.
- Data recorded from the experiment was then analyzed using ANOVA procedures and contingency tables.
Results
- It was observed that six out of eight rats treated with mineral oil died. Additionally, these rats developed bradycardia and hypothermia within the first eight hours of being poisoned.
- Rats treated with mineral oil had higher urine cantharidin concentrations than rats given cantharidin alone or with smectite.
- Rats treated with mineral oil also experienced severe hypothermia. On the other hand, those treated with charcoal maintained average body temperatures higher than all other groups.
- In terms of survival times, there were no statistically significant differences observed between the charcoal and smectite treatment groups when compared to the negative controls.
Conclusions
- The results suggest that mineral oil, a common treatment for equine cantharidin toxicity, may be ineffective. In fact, it might even increase cantharidin absorption, which can lead to increased morbidity and fatality in rats.
- Therefore, the study suggests the reconsideration of mineral oil as a treatment method for cantharidin toxicity due to these potential risks.
Cite This Article
APA
Qualls HJ, Holbrook TC, Gilliam LL, Njaa BL, Panciera RJ, Pope CN, Payton ME.
(2013).
Evaluation of efficacy of mineral oil, charcoal, and smectite in a rat model of equine cantharidin toxicosis.
J Vet Intern Med, 27(5), 1179-1184.
https://doi.org/10.1111/jvim.12164 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Weatherford Equine Medical Center, PC, Weatherford, TX.
MeSH Terms
- Animals
- Antidotes / therapeutic use
- Cantharidin / toxicity
- Charcoal / therapeutic use
- Drinking / drug effects
- Heart Rate / drug effects
- Male
- Mineral Oil / therapeutic use
- Motor Activity / drug effects
- Random Allocation
- Rats
- Rats, Sprague-Dawley
- Silicates / therapeutic use
- Urination / drug effects
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