Effects of polymyxin B on selected features of equine carbohydrate overload |
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Authors: | M F Raisbeck H E Garner G D Osweiler |
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Affiliation: | College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Missouri, Columbia 65201 |
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Abstract: | Gram negative endotoxins play a contributory role in the syndrome which results from over consumption of carbohydrates by horses and ponies. Since the antibiotic polymyxin B exerts a direct anti-endotoxin effect by chemically modifying the active lipid A moiety of endotoxin, it might be expected to protect horses after carbohydrate overload and provide a new therapeutic and experimental tool for this condition. The present study was undertaken to evaluate the effect of polymyxin B on hemostatic, hemodynamic, acid-base, and clinical aspects of the syndrome resulting from carbohydrate overload. Experimentally-induced carbohydrate overload resulted in lactic acidosis, hypercoagulability, hypovolemic shock and lameness. Although there was a slight delay in the onset of clinical signs resulting from experimental carbohydrate overload in treated animals, polymyxin B administered iv at 2.5 mg/kg every 6 hr failed to significantly ameliorate the coagulopathy, acidosis, lameness and shock induced by alimentary carbohydrate overload. |
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