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Animal models in the study of vomiting.
1Department of Physiology, Armed Forces Radiobiology Research Institute, Bethesda, MD 20814-5145.
Canadian Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
|February 1, 1990
Summary
Animal species show varied vomiting responses to drugs, toxins, and radiation. Sensitivity is measured by dose-response thresholds, latency, and duration, with nerve lesions impacting these emetic reactions.
Area of Science:
- Pharmacology
- Comparative Physiology
- Toxicology
Background:
- Emesis (vomiting) is a complex protective reflex.
- Understanding species-specific emetic responses is crucial for drug development and safety assessment.
- Variability in emetic thresholds across species complicates preclinical testing.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare emetic responses across different animal species (human, nonhuman primate, dog, cat, ferret).
- To analyze dose-response relationships and thresholds (ED50, ED100) for various emetic agents.
- To investigate the impact of nerve lesions on emetic sensitivity.
Main Methods:
- Comparison of emetic responses to pharmacological agents, cytotoxins, and radiation.
- Calculation of dose-response relations, ED50, and ED100 values.
- Assessment of latency to emesis and duration of vomiting for noxious stimuli.
- Evaluation of effects of peripheral and central nerve lesions.
Main Results:
- Significant interspecies differences in emetic sensitivity were observed.
- Pharmacological agents acting on identified vs. unidentified receptors elicited varied responses.
- Cytotoxins and radiation showed distinct latency and duration patterns across species.
- Nerve lesions altered species-specific emetic thresholds.
Conclusions:
- Species-specific emetic responses are influenced by receptor targets and stimulus type.
- Dose-response thresholds, latency, and duration are key indicators of emetic sensitivity.
- Nervous system integrity plays a role in modulating emetic reflexes across species.