Influence of indomethacin on endotoxin-induced changes in gastrointestinal myoelectrical activity and some haematological and clinical parameters in the conscious piglet.

The effect of indomethacin, administered intravenously at 5 mg/kg, on the changes in gastrointestinal myoelectrical activity, rectal body temperature, clinical appearance and some haematological parameters induced by intravenous bolus injection of endotoxin, at 10 micrograms/kg, was examined in conscious piglets with electrodes implanted in the antrum pylori, duodenum, jejunum and ileum. Indomethacin inhibited the endotoxin-induced febrile response and the accompanying clinical signs. However, it was without influence on the induced leukopenia and shift to the left. Indomethacin both delayed the onset of and shortened the endotoxin-induced increase in the duration of the antral inhibitory phase and the duodenal phase I activity. It therefore appears that prostanoids are probably not the main factors involved in the endotoxin-induced haematological and gastrointestinal myoelectrical activity changes in the piglet.