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Equine veterinary journal2004; 36(5); 397-401; doi: 10.2746/0425164044868350

Polymyxin B protects horses against induced endotoxaemia in vivo.

Abstract: A safe, affordable and effective treatment for endotoxaemia in horses is needed in order to reduce the incidence of this potentially fatal condition. Objective: To evaluate the effect of polymyxin B (PMB) on signs of experimentally-induced endotoxaemia. Objective: PMB ameliorates the adverse effects of endotoxaemia without causing nephrotoxicity. Methods: Four groups of 6 healthy mature horses each received 20 ng endotoxin/kg bwt i.v. over 30 mins. Additionally, each group received one of the following i.v.; 5000 u PMB/kg bwt 30 mins before endotoxin infusion; 5000 u PMB/kg bwt 30 mins after endotoxin infusion; 1000 u PMB/kg bwt 30 mins prior to endotoxin infusion; or saline. Clinical response data and samples were collected to determine neutrophil count, serum tumour necrosis factor (TNF) activity, plasma thromboxane B2 concentration and urine gamma glutamyltranspeptidase (GGT) to creatinine ratio. Results: Treatment with PMB before or after administration of endotoxin significantly reduced fever, tachycardia and serum TNF, compared to horses receiving saline. The differences in response to endotoxin were greatest between horses that received saline vs. those that received 5000 u PMB/kg bwt prior to endotoxin. Urine GGT:creatinine did not change significantly. Conclusions: This study indicates that PMB may be a safe and effective treatment of endotoxaemia, even when administered after onset. Although nephrotoxicity was not demonstrated with this model, caution should be exercised when using PMB in azotaemic patients.
Publication Date: 2004-07-16 PubMed ID: 15253079DOI: 10.2746/0425164044868350Google Scholar: Lookup
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  • Journal Article

Summary

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This study examines the efficacy of Polymyxin B (PMB) in treating endotoxaemia in horses, demonstrating its potential to reduce symptoms and adverse effects without causing further kidney toxicity.

Research Objectives and Methodology

The article focuses on determining the impact of Polymyxin B (PMB) on experimentally-induced endotoxaemia, an unhealthy condition in horses caused due to the presence of endotoxins in the blood, which could potentially be fatal. Scientists conducted the study on twenty-four healthy, adult horses. They were divided into four groups, each of which was subjected to an endotoxin injection proportionate to their weight. Along with the endotoxin, each group also received either saline or PMB at varying dosages, either half an hour before or after the endotoxin.

  • The first group received 5000 u PMB/kg body weight 30 mins before the endotoxin infusion.
  • The second group received 5000 u PMB/kg body weight 30 mins after the endotoxin infusion.
  • The third group received 1000 u PMB/kg body weight 30 mins prior to the endotoxin infusion.
  • The fourth group received saline.

Through this setup, researchers wanted to understand the variation in effects related to dosage as well as timing of PMB administration. The variables measured include neutrophil count, serum tumour necrosis factor (TNF) activity, plasma thromboxane B2 concentration and urine gamma glutamyltranspeptidase (GGT) to creatinine ratio.

Research Results

The study found that administering PMB either before or after endotoxin significantly decreased fever, rapid heart rate (tachycardia), and serum TNF levels, in comparison to horses that only received saline. It is noteworthy that the greatest differences in endotoxaemia responses were observed between horses that received saline and those that received the highest dosage of PMB prior to endotoxin infusion. Interestingly, the level of GGT to creatinine in urine didn’t show a significant change.

Conclusions

The conclusions drawn from the study suggest that PMB could serve as an effective and safe treatment for endotoxaemia in horses, even when administered after the onset of the condition. The study did not show any evidence of nephrotoxicity (toxicity in the kidneys) in the PMB model, but it still advises caution when using PMB in azotaemic (elevated levels of nitrogen compounds in blood) patients. The results contribute significantly to ongoing research into affordable treatments for endotoxaemia in horses.

Cite This Article

APA
Barton MH, Parviainen A, Norton N. (2004). Polymyxin B protects horses against induced endotoxaemia in vivo. Equine Vet J, 36(5), 397-401. https://doi.org/10.2746/0425164044868350

Publication

ISSN: 0425-1644
NlmUniqueID: 0173320
Country: United States
Language: English
Volume: 36
Issue: 5
Pages: 397-401

Researcher Affiliations

Barton, M H
  • Department of Large Animal Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia 30602, USA.
Parviainen, A
    Norton, N

      MeSH Terms

      • Animals
      • Anti-Bacterial Agents / therapeutic use
      • Body Temperature / drug effects
      • Dose-Response Relationship, Drug
      • Drug Administration Schedule / veterinary
      • Endotoxemia / blood
      • Endotoxemia / drug therapy
      • Endotoxemia / veterinary
      • Endotoxins / administration & dosage
      • Heart Rate / drug effects
      • Horse Diseases / blood
      • Horse Diseases / drug therapy
      • Horses
      • Polymyxin B / therapeutic use
      • Random Allocation
      • Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / analysis

      Citations

      This article has been cited 14 times.
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