A Comparison of Dexmedetomidine, Moxonidine and Alpha-Methyldopa Effects on Acute, Lethal Cocaine Toxicity.
BACKGROUND
The treatment of cocaine toxicity is an important subject for emergency physicians. We investigated the effects of dexmedetomidine, moxonidine and alpha-methyldopa on acute cocaine toxicity in mice.


OBJECTIVE
The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of dexmedetomidine, moxonidine and alpha-methyldopa in a mouse model of acute cocaine toxicity.


METHODS
We performed an experiment consisting of four groups (n = 25 each). The first group received normal saline solution, the second group received 40 µg/kg of dexmedetomidine, the third group received 0.1 mg/kg of moxonidine and the fourth group received 200 mg/kg of alpha-methyldopa, all of which were intraperitoneally administered 10 minutes before cocaine hydrochloride (105 mg/kg). All animals were observed for seizures (popcorn jumping, tonic-clonic activity, or a loss of the righting reflex) and lethality over the 30 minutes following cocaine treatment.


RESULTS
The ratio of animals with convulsions was lower in all treated groups when compared to the control (P < 0.001). Furthermore, 68% (n = 17) of animals in the dexmedetomidine group, 84% (n = 21) of the alpha-methyldopa group, 92% (n = 23) of the moxonidine group and 100% (n = 25) of the control group showed evidence of seizure activity (P = 0.009). Cocaine-induced lethality was observed in 12% (n = 3) of the dexmedetomidine group, 48% (n = 12) of the alpha-methyldopa group, 52% (n = 13) of the moxonidine group, and 72% (n = 18) of the control group (P < 0.001). All treatments prolonged the time to seizure, which was longest in the dexmedetomidine group (P > 0.05). In addition, the time to lethality was also longer in the same group (P < 0.001).


CONCLUSIONS
The present study provides the first experimental evidence in support of dexmedetomidine treatment for cocaine-induced seizures. Premedication with dexmedetomidine reduces seizure activity in a mouse model of acute cocaine toxicity. In addition, while dexmedetomidine may be effective, moxonidine and alpha-methyldopa did not effectively prevent cocaine-induced lethality.
Department of Emergency Medicine, Medical Faculty, Pamukkale University, Denizli, Turkey.
Murat
M
Seyit
Department of Emergency Medicine, Medical Faculty, Pamukkale University, Denizli, Turkey.
Bulent
B
Erdur
Department of Pharmacology, Medical Faculty, Pamukkale University, Denizli, Turkey.
Selim
S
Kortunay
Department of Emergency Medicine, Goztepe Training and Research Hospital, Istanbul Medeniyet University, Istanbul, Turkey.
Aykut
A
Yuksel
Department of Emergency Medicine, Medical Faculty, Pamukkale University, Denizli, Turkey.
Atakan
A
Yilmaz
Department of Emergency Medicine, Medical Faculty, Suleyman Demirel University, Isparta, Turkey.
Mert
M
Ozen
Department of Emergency Medicine, Medical Faculty, Pamukkale University, Denizli, Turkey.
Aykut
A
Uyanik
Department of Emergency Medicine, Medical Faculty, Suleyman Demirel University, Isparta, Turkey.
Onder
O
Tomruk
Department of Public Health, Medical Faculty, Pamukkale University, Denizli, Turkey.
Ahmet
A
Ergin
Alpha-Methyldopa; Cocaine; Dexmedetomidine; Intoxication; Moxonidine