The prokinetic effect of mosapride citrate on horse gastric emptying rates.

This study investigates the potential of mosapride citrate, a drug that stimulates certain serotonin receptors, to enhance the process of gastric emptying in healthy thoroughbred horses.

Introduction and Methodology

• The research focused on a drug called mosapride citrate, which is known as a prokinetic agent – meaning it can improve movement in the digestive system.
• Mosapride stimulates specific serotonin receptors (5-HT4) in the gastrointestinal tract. The stimulation of these receptors is thought to accelerate the rate at which the stomach empties, thus improving digestion.
• The study was run on seven healthy thoroughbred horses, which were administered oral dosages of mosapride citrate in three amounts: 0.5, 1.0, and 1.5 mg/kg.

The Experiment and Measurements

• The effectiveness of the drug was measured using the breath 13CO2/12CO2 rate (Delta13CO2), which serves as an indirect indicator for the rate of gastric emptying.
• These measurements were taken at various intervals over a 4-hour period after the administration of the drug to each horse.

Results

• There was a significant increase in the breath 13CO2/12CO2 rate compared to the control value at different points for each dosage.
• Specifically, significant increases were observed at 15, 20, and 165 minutes for the 0.5 mg/kg dosage, 30 minutes for the 1.0 mg/kg dosage, and 165 minutes for the 1.5 mg/kg dosage.

Conclusion

• This increase in the breath 13CO2/12CO2 rate indicates that the administered mosapride citrate facilitated a faster rate of gastric emptying in the horses – proving the hypothesis correct.
• The findings suggest potential benefits of mosapride citrate in improving digestion in horses.