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Bacterial translocation appears to be an important mechanism in the pathogenesis of spontaneous infections in cirrhosis. Cirrhotic patients are commonly treated with ␤-adrenoceptor blockers, but the impact of this treatment in the factors promoting bacterial translocation has not been investigated. This study was aimed at investigating in cirrhotic rats with ascites the effect of propranolol on intestinal bacterial load, transit, and permeability of the bowel and on the rate of bacterial translocation. Bacterial translocation to mesenteric lymph nodes and intestinal bacterial overgrowth, permeability (urinary excretion of 99m Tc-diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid [ 99m Tc-DTPA]), and transit (geometric center ratio of 51 Cr) were assessed in 29 rats with carbon tetrachloride (CCl 4 ) cirrhosis and 20 controls. These variables were then measured in 12 placebo-and in 13 propranolol-treated ascitic cirrhotic rats. Bacterial translocation was present in 48% of the cirrhotic rats and in none of the controls. Cirrhotic rats with intestinal bacterial overgrowth had a significantly higher rate of translocation and slower intestinal transit than those without it. Among the 15 rats with overgrowth and a 99m Tc-DTPA excretion greater than 10%, 15 had translocation and 2 had bacterial peritonitis. Only 1 of the 14 rats with either intestinal overgrowth or a 99m Tc-DTPA excretion greater than 10% presented translocation. Compared with the placebo group, propranolol-treated animals had significantly lower portal pressure, faster intestinal transit, and lower rates of bacterial overgrowth and translocation. In ascitic cirrhotic rats, bacterial translocation results from intestinal overgrowth and severe damage to gut permeability. In this setting, intestinal overgrowth is associated with intestinal hypomotility. Propranolol accelerates the intesti- Cirrhotic patients are prone to bacterial infections, with spontaneous bacterial peritonitis (SBP) being the most characteristic. Clinical and experimental evidence indicates that translocation of bacteria from the intestinal lumen to the bloodstream is directly involved in the pathogenesis of these spontaneous infections. SBP is caused predominantly by enteric organisms, 1 and selective intestinal decontamination lowers the rate of first or recurrent SBP in cirrhotic patients. 2 Studies in carbon tetrachloride (CCl 4 )-induced cirrhotic rats have shown the frequent, simultaneous presence of bacterial translocation (BT) and SBP caused by enteric organisms, 3-5 a higher rate of BT in ascitic than in nonascitic animals, 6 frequent genotype identity between ileal flora and bacteria colonizing the mesenteric lymph nodes (MLN), 7 and a reduction, by selective intestinal decontamination, in the incidence of BT after hemorrhagic shock. 8 The factors that favor BT in cirrhosis are incompletely understood. Proposed mechanisms include disruption of the equilibrium of normal intestinal bacterial flora, increased permeability of the intestinal mucosal barrier, and deficiencies in host immune def...

Summary Reasons for performing study: Recovery from inhalant anaesthesia in the horse is a critical and difficult period to manage; however, several factors could help to obtain a calm recovery period including choice of anaesthetic and analgesic procedure used and the conditions under which anaesthetic maintenance and recovery occur. Objectives: The objective of this study was to evaluate and compare the quality of recovery in horses administered saline, xylazine, detomidine or romifidine during recovery from isoflurane anaesthesia. Methods: Six mature and healthy horses were premedicated with i.v. xylazine and butorphanol, and anaesthesia induced using ketamine. After 2 h of inhalant anaesthesia with isoflurane vaporised in oxygen, saline solution, xylazine (0.1 mg/kg bwt), detomidine (2 μg/kg bwt) or romifidine (8 μg/kg bwt) were administered. The quality of recovery of each horse and the degree of sedation and ataxia were evaluated. Cardiovascular and respiratory parameters were recorded, and arterial blood samples obtained and analysed for pH, PO2 and PCO2 during recovery. Results: Quality of recovery was better in groups treated with alpha‐2 adrenergic receptors agonists, showing less ataxia. Degree of sedation was greater in the romifidine group. Conclusions: We concluded that the administration of alpha‐2 adrenoceptor agonists during recovery from isoflurane anaesthesia in horses prolonged and improved the quality of recovery without producing significant cardiorespiratory effects. Potential clinical relevance: Administration of alpha‐2 adrenoceptor agonists after inhalent anaesthesia could prevent complications during the recovery period.

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