OBJECTIVE: Although extensive work has been done to elucidate the beneficial and unfavorable effects of gastrointestinal prokinetic agents in humans, little is known on the effects of these agents in horses. In this study, we compared the effects of mosapride, metoclopramide, cisapride, and lidocaine on equine gastric emptying, jejunal and caecal motility and evaluated these agents' adverse drug reactions (ADRs). ANIMALS: Seven healthy adult Thoroughbreds. PROCEDURE: Mosapride 1.0mg/kg and 2.0mg/kg, metoclopramide 0.2mg/kg, and cisapride 1.0mg/kg were dissolved in 100mL distilled water for oral administration. Lidocaine 1.3mg/kg was mixed with 500 mL saline for a 30-min intravenous infusion. Oral administration of 100mL distilled water was used as control. Gastric emptying was evaluated using (13)CO(2) breath test, and jejunal and caecal motility was assessed by electrointestinography. RESULTS: The present study demonstrates that mosapride at doses of 1.0mg/kg and 2.0mg/kg facilitates gastric emptying in horses. Improved jejunal motility was observed following administration of mosapride (1.0mg/kg and 2.0mg/kg), metoclopramide (0.2mg/kg), and cisapride (1.0mg/kg). Similarly, improved caecal motility was observed following administration of mosapride (2.0mg/kg). CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: This study shows that among the prokinetic agents studied here, only mosapride (2.0mg/kg) promotes jejunal and caecal motility in horses. Considering mosapride ADRs profile, it is believed that this compound is useful in the treatment of diseases associated with decreased GI motility, including postoperative ileus.
OBJECTIVE: Although extensive work has been done to elucidate the beneficial and unfavorable effects of gastrointestinal prokinetic agents in humans, little is known on the effects of these agents in horses. In this study, we compared the effects of mosapride, metoclopramide, cisapride, and lidocaine on equine gastric emptying, jejunal and caecal motility and evaluated these agents' adverse drug reactions (ADRs). ANIMALS: Seven healthy adult Thoroughbreds. PROCEDURE: Mosapride 1.0mg/kg and 2.0mg/kg, metoclopramide 0.2mg/kg, and cisapride 1.0mg/kg were dissolved in 100mL distilled water for oral administration. Lidocaine 1.3mg/kg was mixed with 500 mL saline for a 30-min intravenous infusion. Oral administration of 100mL distilled water was used as control. Gastric emptying was evaluated using (13)CO(2) breath test, and jejunal and caecal motility was assessed by electrointestinography. RESULTS: The present study demonstrates that mosapride at doses of 1.0mg/kg and 2.0mg/kg facilitates gastric emptying in horses. Improved jejunal motility was observed following administration of mosapride (1.0mg/kg and 2.0mg/kg), metoclopramide (0.2mg/kg), and cisapride (1.0mg/kg). Similarly, improved caecal motility was observed following administration of mosapride (2.0mg/kg). CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: This study shows that among the prokinetic agents studied here, only mosapride (2.0mg/kg) promotes jejunal and caecal motility in horses. Considering mosapride ADRs profile, it is believed that this compound is useful in the treatment of diseases associated with decreased GI motility, including postoperative ileus.