This study examined the sedative, analgesic, behavioral, and clinical effects of a combination of xylazine (XY) and nalbuphine-xylazine (NA-XY) in camels. A total of five adult camels were used in a prospective randomized cross-over design with a wash out period of two weeks. Camels were allocated randomly to two treatment groups: the XY group (xylazine, 1.1mL/100 kg IV) and the NA-XY group (xylazine, 1.1mL/100 kg IV and nalbuphine, 1 mg/kg IV). The sedative, analgesic, behavioral, and clinical effects of XY and NA-XY combination were evaluated prior to administration (baseline) and at 5, 15, 30, 45, 60, 75, 90, and 120 minutes post-administration. The results showed that the NA-XY combination accelerates the onset of sedation and analgesia and prolongs the durations of both sedation (p < 0.001) and analgesia (p < 0.01). The behavioral parameters showed higher scores with a NA-XY combination than xylazine alone. Although a XY injection resulted in a significant decline in the heart and respiratory rate, the NA-XY combination group revealed a non-significant change in both clinical parameters compared to the baseline. In conclusion, the use of a NA-XY combination in camels improved the sedative and analgesic onset and duration with an improved outcome in the behavioral scores, as well as in both the heart and respiratory rates compared to XY alone.
Adult ; Analgesia ; Camels ; Cross-Over Studies ; Heart ; Humans ; Nalbuphine ; Prospective Studies ; Respiratory Rate ; Xylazine

Sucrose and alcohol are rewarding and appetitive. They are occasionally over-consumed and cause addiction. The parabrachial nuclei (PbN) are the second taste relay in the central taste pathway. The nucleus accumbens (NAcc) is an important neural substrate in the reward system. Intake of sucrose or alcohol induces dopamine release in the NAcc. Although alcohol is not classified as a taste stimulus, a substantial number of sucrose-responsive neurons in the PbN respond to stimulation by alcohol on the tongue. In the present study, we investigated whether or not application of 0.5 M sucrose, 10% ethanol (EtOH), mixture of sucrose and EtOH, and double-distilled water (DDW) to the tongue induces c-Fos-like immunoreactivity (cFLI) in the PbN and NAcc. We also examined whether or not the number of cFLI following sucrose/EtOH is comparable to the number of cFLIs following sucrose and EtOH, respectively. Male Sprague-Dwaley rat was anesthetized with a mixture of Zoletil and Rompun while stimulation solution was applied to the anterior tongue. The rat was sacrificed by perfusion, and the fixed brain was sectioned and immunostained. Data from a total of 18 animals were analyzed. The number of cFLI following stimulation with sucrose and/or EtOH was greater than that of DDW in the PbN. Numbers of cFLI following sucrose, EtOH, and sucrose/EtOH were not significantly different from each other in the PbN. The number of cFLI in response to stimulation solution was not different from that of DDW in the NAcc. The result of the present study suggests that not only sucrose but also EtOH activates some neurons in the PbN, and that some pontine neurons possibly respond to both sucrose and EtOH.
Animals ; Brain ; Dopamine ; Ethanol ; Humans ; Male ; Neurons ; Nucleus Accumbens ; Perfusion ; Rats ; Reward ; Sucrose* ; Tongue ; Water ; Xylazine

Procedures involving complex surgical techniques in rats, such as placement of abdominal aortic graft require extended duration of surgical anesthesia, which often can be achieved by repeated administrations of xylazine-ketamine combination. However such repeated anesthetic administration, in addition to being technically challenging, may be associated with potential adverse events due to cumulative effects of anesthesia. We report here the feasibility of using urethane at low dose (~1/10 the recommended anesthetic dose) in combination with a xylazine-ketamine mix to achieve an extended duration of surgical anesthesia in rats. The anesthesia induction phase was quick and smooth with an optimal phase of surgical anesthesia achieved for up to 90 minutes, which was significantly higher compared to that achieved with use of only xylazine-ketamine combination. The rectal temperature, heart rate and respiratory rate were within the physiological range with an uneventful recovery phase. Post surgery the rats were followed up to 3 months without any evidence of tumor or any other adverse effects related to the use of the urethane anesthetic combination. We conclude that low dose urethane can be effectively used in combination with xylazine and ketamine to achieve extended duration of surgical anesthesia up to 90 minutes in rats.
Anesthesia* ; Animals ; Heart Rate ; Ketamine* ; Rats* ; Respiratory Rate ; Transplants ; Urethane* ; Xylazine*

PURPOSE: To evaluate temperature changes in the gastric lumen and the efficacy of weak acid neutralization against the ingestion of a strong alkaline commercial agent. METHODS: A total of 23 male New Zealand White rabbits were anesthetized with an intramuscular injection of ketamine and xylazine. After gastric lavage, anoro-gastric catheter and an electric thermometer probe were inserted into the stomach. Then 3 mL/kg of room-temperature (24~26degrees C) 1M sodium hydroxide (NaOH) disinfectant was instilled into the gastric lumen. The rabbits were divided into three groups: Group 1 (n=8) was treated with NaOH only and Group 2 (n=7) and Group 3 (n=8) were treated with 39 mL/kg of room-temperature orange juice or water after 5 minutes, respectively. Intra-gastric temperature was continuously measured and compared with arterial pH before alkali insult and 30 minutes later. Gastric pH was measured, and pathological examination of the esophagus, stomach, and duodenum performed after animal sacrifice. RESULTS: Gastric lumen temperatures gradually increased from 32.6degrees C to 38.7degrees C after alkali instillation. Significant decreases in lumen temperature, 7.5degrees C or 12.0degrees C, were observed following treatment with water or orange juice, respectively (p<0.01). Post-treatment temperature did not exceed pre-treatment temperature for the entire observation period. The gastric pH of the neutralization group was much lower than the alkali alone group or the dilution group (7.0+/-0.7 vs. 11.6+/-0.2, or 10.6+/-0.4, respectively, mean+/-SD, p<0.01). In gastric microscopic findings, only mucosal injuries were observed in the neutralization groups, while there were no significant differences among groups in terms of esophageal or duodenal injury. CONCLUSION: Neutralization therapy with room-temperature orange juice for acute gastrointestinal injuries caused by liquid alkali did not cause additional thermal injury and might have protective effects against local tissue destruction in the stomach.
Alkalies* ; Animals ; Catheters ; Citrus sinensis ; Duodenum ; Eating* ; Esophagus ; Gastric Lavage ; Humans ; Hydrogen-Ion Concentration ; Hydroxides ; Injections, Intramuscular ; Ketamine ; Male ; Rabbits* ; Sodium Hydroxide ; Stomach ; Thermometers ; Toxicology ; Water ; Xylazine

This study was performed to investigate the effect of Nei Guan (PC-6) moxibustion stimulation on artificial bradycardia of dogs. Xylazine was injected for inducing bradycardia. Rectal temperature, systolic blood pressure, respiratory rate, heart rate were recorded every 10 minutes for 120 minutes. Systolic blood pressure significantly increased on 40 min (p < 0.05) after xylazine injection, compared with those of control group. Heart rate significantly increased on 40 min (p < 0.01), 50 min (p < 0.01), 60 min (p < 0.01), 70 min (p < 0.01), 80 min (p < 0.01), 100 min (p < 0.01), 120min (p < 0.01) after xylazine injection, compared with those of control group. In conclusion, moxibustion of Nei Guan (PC-6) showed recovery effect in xylazine induced bradycardia in dogs.
Animals ; Blood Pressure ; Bradycardia ; Dogs ; Heart Rate ; Moxibustion ; Respiratory Rate ; Xylazine

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between inhalation anesthetics and hearing in mice. MATERIALS AND METHODS: As inhalation anesthetics, isoflurane was used. Auditory brainstem response and distortion product otoacoustic emission were used as measurement of hearing. Mice were divided into 2 groups. 'Isoflurane group' consisted of mice that were anesthetized with an inspired concentration of 2.0 vol% isoflurane with 2 L/min of oxygen (n=10). 'Control group' consisted of mice that were anesthetized with ketamine and xylazine (n=10). RESULTS: Auditory brainstem response thresholds in mice anesthetized with ketamine and xylazine was not different from those in mice anesthetized with isoflurane. Threshold of DPOAE was higher in mice with isolurane than with ketamine and xylazine. Changes of efferent control may be induced by isoflurane and consequently change the threshold of DPOAE in mice. CONCLUSIONS: These results infer that, there was a change of central nervous system induced by inhalation anesthetics, this change also can be applied to the strategies for prevention of hearing loss.
Anesthetics ; Anesthetics, Inhalation ; Animals ; Central Nervous System ; Evoked Potentials, Auditory, Brain Stem ; Hearing ; Hearing Loss ; Isoflurane ; Ketamine ; Mice ; Oxygen ; Xylazine

This study was performed to evaluate the sedative and analgesic effects of xylazine (X) and tramadol (T) intravenously (IV) administered to horses. Six thoroughbred saddle horses each received X (1.0 mg/kg), T (2.0 mg/kg), and a combination of XT (1.0 and 2.0 mg/kg, respectively) IV. Heart rate (HR), respiratory rate (RR), rectal temperature (RT), indirect arterial pressure (IAP), capillary refill time (CRT), sedation, and analgesia (using electrical stimulation and pinprick) were measured before and after drug administration. HR and RR significantly decreased from basal values with X and XT treatments, and significantly increased with T treatment (p < 0.05). RT and IAP also significantly increased with T treatment (p < 0.05). CRT did not change significantly with any treatments. The onset of sedation and analgesia were approximately 5 min after both X and XT treatments; however, the XT combination produced a longer duration of sedation and analgesia than X alone. Two horses in the XT treatment group displayed excited transient behavior within 5 min of drug administration. The results suggest that the XT combination is useful for sedation and analgesia in horses. However, careful monitoring for excited behavior shortly after administration is recommended.
Analgesics, Opioid/administration & dosage/*pharmacology ; Animals ; Blood Pressure ; Drug Therapy, Combination ; Female ; Heart Rate ; Horses/*physiology ; Hypnotics and Sedatives/administration & dosage/*pharmacology ; Male ; Respiratory Rate ; Tramadol/administration & dosage/*pharmacology ; Xylazine/administration & dosage/*pharmacology

Tribromoethanol (2,2,2-tribromoethanol, TBE) is a popular injectable anesthetic agent used in mice in Korea. Our goal was to assess the risks associated with side effects (lesions) in the abdominal cavity, especially at high doses. To understand the underlying pathophysiological changes, we examined levels of cytokines through ELISA of abdominal lavage fluid and spleen collected from mice treated with low and high-dose TBE. ICR mice were anesthetized using one of the following protocols: a combination of TBE 200 mg/kg (1.25%) and xylazine 10 mg/kg; TBE 400 mg/kg (1.25%); and TBE 400 mg/kg (2.5%). Administration of high-dose TBE (400 mg/kg) increased the interleukin-1beta and interleukin-6 levels in the peritoneal cavity over the short term (<1 day) compared with sham controls and low-dose TBE (200 mg/kg) groups. Cytokine expression in the low-dose TBE group was similar to the control group, whereas in the high-dose TBE group cytokine levels were higher in abdominal lavage fluid and spleen over the long term (10 days post-injection). We conclude that a combination of TBE 200 mg/kg (1.25%) and xylazine (10 mg/kg) is a safe and effective anesthetic for use in animals.
Abdominal Cavity ; Animals ; Cytokines ; Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay ; Ethanol ; Injections, Intraperitoneal ; Interleukin-1beta ; Interleukin-6 ; Kinetics ; Korea ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred ICR ; Peritoneal Cavity ; Salicylamides ; Spleen ; Therapeutic Irrigation ; Xylazine

The present study was carried out to provide a guideline for injecting tribromoethanol (TBE) as the main anesthetic agent, while adjusting the doses of xylazine (X) and medetomidine (M) according to different strains of mice (male ICR, C57BL/6, and BALB/c). Seven intraperitoneal injection anesthesia protocols using TBE and mixtures of TBE and alpha2-adrenergic agonists (TBE/X and TBE/M) were compared in terms of their efficacy and safety (anesthetic duration, death rate, and the development of pathological lesions of abdominal organs). All animals that were injected with a low dose of TBE (200 mg/kg) displayed clear signs of light anesthesia with a strong pedal withdrawal reflex. Despite the good anesthetic effect, a high dose of TBE (400 mg/kg) was not a suitable anesthetic for major surgery in all mouse strains because of the risk of pathologic changes in the abdominal organs, such as retention of the digestive tract, peritonitis, and fibrinoid adhesion. TBE200/X10 and TBE200/M0.5 (TBE, 200 mg/kg; X, 10 mg/kg; M, 0.5 mg/kg) appeared to be safe and provided satisfactory anesthesia in ICR mice. Finally, there were clear differences in anesthetic efficacy among ICR, C57BL/6, and BALB/c strains. TBE/M and TBE/X did not anesthetize BALB/c mice, and it anesthetized C57BL/6 mice for a short time. When administered with TBE/X and TBE/M maintained the sedation of ICR mice. We were able to establish different regimes for each strain (TBE200/X20 for C57BL/6, TBE300/X10 and TBE200/M1 for BALB/c). Our results showed that TBE/X and TBE/M could be recommended as an anesthetic mixture, with the dose appropriately adjusted according to mouse strain.
Anesthesia ; Anesthetics ; Animals ; Ethanol ; Gastrointestinal Tract ; Injections, Intraperitoneal ; Light ; Medetomidine ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred ICR ; Peritonitis ; Reflex ; Retention (Psychology) ; Sprains and Strains ; Xylazine

The present study was carried out to provide a guideline for injecting tribromoethanol (TBE) as the main anesthetic agent, while adjusting the doses of xylazine (X) and medetomidine (M) according to different strains of mice (male ICR, C57BL/6, and BALB/c). Seven intraperitoneal injection anesthesia protocols using TBE and mixtures of TBE and alpha2-adrenergic agonists (TBE/X and TBE/M) were compared in terms of their efficacy and safety (anesthetic duration, death rate, and the development of pathological lesions of abdominal organs). All animals that were injected with a low dose of TBE (200 mg/kg) displayed clear signs of light anesthesia with a strong pedal withdrawal reflex. Despite the good anesthetic effect, a high dose of TBE (400 mg/kg) was not a suitable anesthetic for major surgery in all mouse strains because of the risk of pathologic changes in the abdominal organs, such as retention of the digestive tract, peritonitis, and fibrinoid adhesion. TBE200/X10 and TBE200/M0.5 (TBE, 200 mg/kg; X, 10 mg/kg; M, 0.5 mg/kg) appeared to be safe and provided satisfactory anesthesia in ICR mice. Finally, there were clear differences in anesthetic efficacy among ICR, C57BL/6, and BALB/c strains. TBE/M and TBE/X did not anesthetize BALB/c mice, and it anesthetized C57BL/6 mice for a short time. When administered with TBE/X and TBE/M maintained the sedation of ICR mice. We were able to establish different regimes for each strain (TBE200/X20 for C57BL/6, TBE300/X10 and TBE200/M1 for BALB/c). Our results showed that TBE/X and TBE/M could be recommended as an anesthetic mixture, with the dose appropriately adjusted according to mouse strain.
Anesthesia ; Anesthetics ; Animals ; Ethanol ; Gastrointestinal Tract ; Injections, Intraperitoneal ; Light ; Medetomidine ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred ICR ; Peritonitis ; Reflex ; Retention (Psychology) ; Sprains and Strains ; Xylazine