Efficacy of Sustained-Release Buprenorphine in an Experimental Laparotomy Model in Female Mice

Mice purportedly require dosing with the opioid buprenorphine (Bup-HCl) at least every 8 to 12 h to maintain an adequate plane of analgesia. Here we used an experimental laparotomy model to determine the clinical efficacy of sustained-release formulations of buprenorphine (Bup-SR) after surgery in mice. Female CD1 mice underwent laparotomy and received either Bup-SR (0.6 mg/kg), Bup-HCl (0.1 mg/kg every 12 h), or saline (every 12 h). Pain was assessed at 1, 3, 6, 12, 24, 48, and 72 h according to the frequency of several behaviors (general activity, wheel-running activity, rearing, grooming, wound licking, orbital tightening, and percentage of integrated nest material) and daily body weight. Over time, wheel running was increased and wound licking was decreased in Bup-SR-treated mice compared with Bup-HCl- and saline-treated mice. Compared with Bup-HCl- and saline-treated mice, Bup-SR-treated mice had increased general activity and percentage of integrated nest material and decreased orbital tightening for 1 to 6 h after surgery. The Bup-HCl- and saline-treated mice had similar general activity, orbital tightening scores, and wheel running activity. Rearing activity and body weight did not differ throughout the study, and none of the observed behaviors differed between groups at 24, 48, and 72 h after surgery. These results suggest that Bup-SR at 0.6 mg/kg provides adequate analgesia after laparotomy in mice and can be used as an alternative analgesic in this context. Furthermore, Bup-HCl at 0.1 mg/kg every 12 h may be inadequate in providing analgesia for abdominal procedures in mice.