title: Physiologic and biochemical effects of electroacupuncture combined with intramuscular administration of dexmedetomidine to provide analgesia in goats.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To investigate physiologic and biochemical effects of electroacupuncture and dexmedetomidine administration to goats.
  
  
  METHODS
  30 healthy adult goats.
  
  
  METHODS
  Goats were allotted to 5 groups (6 goats/group) and received electroacupuncture, dexmedetomidine (5 or 20 μg/kg, IM), electroacupuncture plus dexmedetomidine (5 μg/kg, IM), or saline (0.9% NaCl) solution (IM [control treatment]). Pain threshold, cardiorespiratory effects, rectal temperature, and hematologic and biochemical variables were assessed.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Dexmedetomidine (20 μg/kg) increased pain threshold and decreased heart rate, respiratory rate, and rectal temperature. Pain threshold of goats receiving electroacupuncture plus dexmedetomidine (5 μg/kg) was higher than that of goats receiving electroacupuncture or of goats receiving dexmedetomidine at 5 μg/kg at 30 minutes, but did not differ from that of goats receiving dexmedetomidine at 20 μg/kg. Compared with goats administered dexmedetomidine at 20 μg/kg, goats receiving electroacupuncture plus dexmedetomidine at 5 μg/kg had a higher heart rate from 30 to 60 minutes and a higher respiratory rate from 5 to 60 minutes. Electroacupuncture plus dexmedetomidine (5 μg/kg) did not affect rectal temperature. Serum glucose concentrations of goats receiving electroacupuncture plus dexmedetomidine (5 μg/kg) were higher than for goats receiving dexmedetomidine at 5 μg/kg at 30 minutes but not for goats receiving dexmedetomidine at 20 μg/kg. Creatinine and BUN concentrations, alanine or aspartate aminotransferase activities, and hematologic variables of treated goats did not change.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Electroacupuncture in combination with a low dose of dexmedetomidine (5 μg/kg, IM) administered to goats provided antinociception.
authors.forename: Zahir
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Shah
authors.forename: Man L
authors.initials: ML
authors.lastname: Hu
authors.forename: Zheng Y
authors.initials: ZY
authors.lastname: Qiu
authors.forename: Fei Y
authors.initials: FY
authors.lastname: Zhou
authors.forename: Jie
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Zeng
authors.forename: Juan
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Wan
authors.forename: Shao W
authors.initials: SW
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.forename: Wei
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.forename: Ming X
authors.initials: MX
authors.lastname: Ding
mesh_terms: D018712:Analgesics, Non-Narcotic / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology*; D000818:Animals; D001831:Body Temperature / Q000187:drug effects; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D020927:Dexmedetomidine / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology*; D015671:Electroacupuncture; D005260:Female; D006041:Goats / Q000502:physiology*; D006339:Heart Rate / Q000187:drug effects; D007273:Injections, Intramuscular / Q000662:veterinary; D008297:Male; D059408:Pain Management / Q000662:veterinary; D017288:Pain Threshold / Q000187:drug effects; D056152:Respiratory Rate / Q000187:drug effects
chemical_list: D018712:Analgesics, Non-Narcotic; D020927:Dexmedetomidine