The effect of the novel partial alpha2-adrenoceptor agonist naphthylmedetomidine on the basic cardiorespiratory parameters and behavior in rhesus monkeys.
BACKGROUND
The aim of this study was to compare cardiorespiratory and behavioral profile of a new alpha 2-adrenoceptor ligand naphthylmedetomidine with medetomidine in rhesus monkeys.


METHODS
Naphthylmedetomidine or medetomidine (50 microg/kg) together with ketamine (3 mg/kg) and hyaluronidase (150 IU/kg) i.m was administered to 35 rhesus monkeys. Behavioral changes were then observed together with blood pressure, heart rate and oxygen saturation of hemoglobin.


RESULTS
The onset of sedation, ataxia, and reduction of aggression was similar in both treatment groups. Immobilization was observed only in medetomidine treated animals, while in naphthylmedetomidine treated animals loss of aggressiveness was observed but the animals never completely lost mobility. Naphthylmedetomidine showed less prominent effects on cardiorespiratory functions compared with medetomidine.


CONCLUSIONS
Our results suggest that naphthylmedetomidine can be used to induce sedation in primates and other small animals while avoiding the serious side effects observed after administration of the currently used full alpha(2)-AR agonists.
Votava
Martin
M
Department of Pharmacology, 3rd Faculty of Medicine, Charles University in Prague, Prague, Czech Republic. martin.votava@lf3.cuni.cz
Hess
Ladislav
L
Schreiberová
Jitka
J
Málek
Jirí
J
D058647:Adrenergic alpha-2 Receptor Agonists; D000316:Adrenergic alpha-Agonists / Q000494:pharmacology; D000778:Anesthetics, Dissociative / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology; D000818:Animals; D001522:Behavior, Animal / Q000187:drug effects*; D005260:Female; D006339:Heart Rate / Q000187:drug effects*; D006454:Hemoglobins / Q000378:metabolism*; D006821:Hyaluronoglucosaminidase / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology; D007649:Ketamine / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology; D008253:Macaca mulatta / Q000502:physiology*; D008297:Male; D020926:Medetomidine / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000494:pharmacology; D014260:Triclosan / Q000378:metabolism
D058647:Adrenergic alpha-2 Receptor Agonists; D000316:Adrenergic alpha-Agonists; D000778:Anesthetics, Dissociative; D006454:Hemoglobins; C073198:4-(1-(1-naphthyl)ethyl)imidazole; D014260:Triclosan; D007649:Ketamine; D006821:Hyaluronoglucosaminidase; D020926:Medetomidine