Metoclopramide and domperidone are dopamine antagonists that can cause an acute dystonic reaction. Metoclopramide is a rare but major contributor to serotonin syndrome, particularly when used with other serotonergic agents. Serotonin syndrome is a rare, potentially life-threatening adverse reaction characterized by a triad of altered mental status, autonomic dysfunction, and neuromuscular hyperactivity that typically results from exposure to serotonergic agents. Herein, we report a previously healthy 9-year-old girl who was brought to the emergency department with an alteration in the level of conscious and involuntary repetitive movements after approximately 24 hours of receiving a therapeutic dose of metoclopramide and domperidone. Physical examination showed tachycardia, hyperthermia, and a Glasgow Coma Scale score of 11, as well as mydriasis and hyperreflexia. In addition to resolving the symptoms after administering midazolam and diphenhydramine, the diagnosis of serotonin syndrome was made based on the classical symptoms and signs, which met the Hunter criteria. This case indicates the need for clinical awareness of the life-threatening syndrome and caution with medications having potential interactions with metoclopramide.

BACKGROUND: Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) and/or biological scaffolds have been used to regenerate articular cartilage with variable success. In the present study we evaluated cartilage regeneration using a combination of bone marrow (BM)-MSCs, Hyalofast™ and/or native cartilage tissue following full thickness surgical cartilage defect in rabbits. METHODS: Full-thickness surgical ablation of the medial-tibial cartilage was performed in New Zealand white (NZW) rabbits. Control rabbits (Group-I) received no treatment; Animals in other groups were treated as follows. Group-II: BMMSCs (1 × 10⁶ cells) + Hyalofast™; Group-III: BMMSCs (1 × 10⁶ cells) + cartilage pellet (CP); and Group-IV: BMMSCs (1 × 10⁶ cells) + Hyalofast™+ CP. Animals were sacrificed at 12 weeks and cartilage regeneration analyzed using histopathology, International Cartilage Repair Society (ICRS-II) score, magnetic resonance observation of cartilage repair tissue (MOCART) score and biomechanical studies. RESULTS: Gross images showed good tissue repair (Groups IV>III>Group II) and histology demonstrated intact superficial layer, normal chondrocyte arrangement, tidemark and cartilage matrix staining (Groups III and IV) compared to the untreated control (Group I) respectively. ICRS-II score was 52.5, 65.0, 66 and 75% (Groups I–IV) and the MOCART score was 50.0, 73.75 and 76.25 (Groups II–IV) respectively. Biomechanical properties of the regenerated cartilage tissue in Group IV closed resembled that of a normal cartilage. CONCLUSION: Hyalofast™ together with BM-MSCs and CP led to efficient cartilage regeneration following full thickness surgical ablation of tibial articular cartilage in vivo in rabbits. Presence of hyaluronic acid in the scaffold and native microenvironment cues probably facilitated differentiation and integration of BM-MSCs.
Animals ; Bone Marrow ; Cartilage* ; Cartilage, Articular ; Chondrocytes ; Cues ; Hyaluronic Acid ; Mesenchymal Stromal Cells* ; New Zealand ; Osteoarthritis ; Rabbits* ; Regeneration*