Efeitos do enalaprilato em equinos desidratados por poliúria e restrição hídrica

Abstract

Sodium is the major electrolyte of the extra cellular space, essential for the control of plasma osmolality and blood pressure. In addition, sodium is the only mineral for which there is a defined appetite. For sodium homeostasis and for the regulation of extra cellular fluid, the reported physiological systems include the renin angiotensin aldosterone system, atrial natriuretic peptide and oxytocin. In mice the feeding behavior of sodium is well established and the central inhibition of sodium appetite has been demonstrated. However, in some domestic species, especially in horses, subject of this study, this behavior has not yet been clarified. This study aimed to evaluate the clinical and hematological effects, beyond the assessment of fluid and electrolyte balance and feeding behavior of fluids after the central administration of enalaprilat in horses experimentally dehydrated. Six adult, gelding horses, were used. The animals were subjected to water and food restriction for 72 hours prior the study, associated with the administration of three doses of furosemide in the first 24 hours. After the 72 hours fasting, the animals were divided into two experimental groups. The first group was called Control Group (CG) and the second, Treaty Group (TG). The animals of TG received 2.75 mg/animal of enalaprilat by intracarotideal route. After administration of enalaprilat, the animals had free access to water and hypertonic saline solution (1.8% of NaCl), with ingested volumes monitored. All animals were submitted to a regular and periodical physical examination, measured blood pressure and collected blood samples every 12 hours until the administration of enalaprilat, to evaluate the effects of dehydration; and 30, 60, 120, 180 minutes and 24 hours after administration, to evaluate the drug effects. Weight loss was the parameter that best reflected dehydration, which was estimated at 10.5% at the end of 72 hours of food and water restriction. When the animals had free access to water and saline, we observed a higher total water consumption in TG (13.7 ± 12 L) than in the CG (9.1 ± 7.9 L), with no significant difference between groups (p = 0.3522). There was no significant difference between GC and GT in clinical and hematological parameters, in all moments evaluated. Evaluating the sodium appetite, as evidenced by the ratio between salt intake and the amount of fluid consumed, it was observed that the TG showed lower sodium appetite than the CG (p = 0 0396), observed 120 minutes after the central administration of enalaprilat, demonstrating the centrally action of ACE inhibitor (enalaprilat) in inhibition of sodium appetite in horses.