Pathophysiology of equine postoperative ileus: effect of adrenergic blockade, parasympathetic stimulation and metoclopramide in an experimental model.
Abstract: An experimental model of postoperative ileus was developed in ponies using trauma to, and exposure of, a length of small intestine which gave rise to a reproducible and reversible set of changes in gut activity. This was assessed by recordings of electrical and mechanical activity and by propulsion of spheres from stomach to anus. Activity was depressed, especially in the stomach and colon, and transit was slowed. All drugs given increased electromechanical activity but propranolol was the least effective and did not alter the delayed transit of spheres. Yohimbine was more effective and the addition of bethanechol produced a little extra propulsive action. Metoclopramide had the best effect, virtually returning transit to normal and was the only drug fully restoring coordination of gastric and small intestinal activity which was disrupted by the ileus procedure. Loss of gastroduodenal coordination is probably the central lesion in equine ileus and may be mediated by dopamine.
Publication Date: 1986-07-01 PubMed ID: 3758000DOI: 10.1111/j.2042-3306.1986.tb03618.xGoogle Scholar: Lookup
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- Comparative Study
- Journal Article
- Research Support
- Non-U.S. Gov't
Summary
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This research article investigates the biological cause of postoperative ileus (a common gastrointestinal issue among horses after surgery) and tests out various drugs for their efficacy in alleviating the condition, with metoclopramide proving the most effective.
Experimental Model
- The study developed an experimental model for postoperative ileus triggered through a physical injury and exposure to a specific segment of the small intestine in ponies. This triggered a reliable and reversible change in gut activity which could be analysed for research.
- Gut activity was observed through meticulous recording of electrical and mechanical functions and also by monitoring the movement of spheres (serving as food particles) from the stomach to the anus.
- Postoperative ileus led to a considerable decrease in gut activity, particularly in the stomach and colon, and slowed down the transit of the spheres.
Drug Testing
- The study also examined the effectiveness of various drugs in increasing gut activity. All the drugs tested, namely propranolol, yohimbine, bethanechol, and metoclopramide, increased the electromechanical activity to some extent.
- Propranolol, however, proved to be the least potent in terms of increasing gut activity and didn’t contribute to reducing the delay observed in the transit of spheres.
- Yohimbine showed greater potency than propranolol in enhancing electromechanical activity. Adding bethanechol resulted in only slightly improved propulsive action.
- Metoclopramide outperformed both propranolol and yohimbine + bethanechol in enhancing gut activity. It nearly normalized the transit time of spheres and was the only drug that fully rebuilt the coordination of activity between the stomach and small intestine, which the ileus procedure had disrupted.
Key Findings
- The research implies that the core of equine postoperative ileus—the disruption of stomach and small intestine coordination—could be mediated by dopamine.
- Metoclopramide proved to be the most effective treatment, endorsing its potential use in treating postoperative ileus in equines.
Cite This Article
APA
Gerring EE, Hunt JM.
(1986).
Pathophysiology of equine postoperative ileus: effect of adrenergic blockade, parasympathetic stimulation and metoclopramide in an experimental model.
Equine Vet J, 18(4), 249-255.
https://doi.org/10.1111/j.2042-3306.1986.tb03618.x Publication
Researcher Affiliations
MeSH Terms
- Animals
- Bethanechol Compounds / pharmacology
- Gastrointestinal Motility / drug effects
- Horse Diseases / physiopathology
- Horses
- Intestinal Obstruction / physiopathology
- Intestinal Obstruction / veterinary
- Intestine, Small / drug effects
- Intestine, Small / physiopathology
- Metoclopramide / pharmacology
- Models, Biological
- Postoperative Complications / physiopathology
- Postoperative Complications / veterinary
- Propranolol / pharmacology
- Time Factors
- Yohimbine / pharmacology
Citations
This article has been cited 6 times.- Koenig J, Cote N. Equine gastrointestinal motility--ileus and pharmacological modification. Can Vet J 2006 Jun;47(6):551-9.
- Delesalle C, Deprez P, Schuurkes JA, Lefebvre RA. Contractile effects of 5-hydroxytryptamine and 5-carboxamidotryptamine in the equine jejunum. Br J Pharmacol 2006 Jan;147(1):23-35.
- Meisler SD, Doherty TJ, Andrews FM, Osborne D, Frazier DL. Yohimbine ameliorates the effects of endotoxin on gastric emptying of the liquid marker acetaminophen in horses. Can J Vet Res 2000 Oct;64(4):208-11.
- Doherty TJ, Andrews FM, Abraha TW, Osborne D, Frazier DL. Metoclopramide ameliorates the effects of endotoxin on gastric emptying of acetaminophen in horses. Can J Vet Res 1999 Jan;63(1):37-40.
- Navarre CB, Roussel AJ. Gastrointestinal motility and disease in large animals. J Vet Intern Med 1996 Mar-Apr;10(2):51-9.
- Thampongsa T, Saengsawang B, Supsamutchai C, Wilasrusmee C, Jirasiritham J, Punmeechao P, Palitnonkiat V, Poprom N, Choikrua P, Singhathas P. The efficacy of mosapride on recovery of intestinal motility after elective colorectal cancer surgery: a randomized controlled trial. Ann Coloproctol 2025 Jun;41(3):232-238.
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