Rapid Communication
Copyright ©2006 Baishideng Publishing Group Co., Limited. All rights reserved.
World J Gastroenterol. Feb 28, 2006; 12(8): 1300-1302
Published online Feb 28, 2006. doi: 10.3748/wjg.v12.i8.1300
Value of mink vomit model in study of anti-emetic drugs
Fang Zhang, Lei Wang, Zhi-Hong Yang, Zhan-Tao Liu, Wang Yue
Fang Zhang, Lei Wang, Zhi-Hong Yang, Zhan-Tao Liu, Wang Yue, Department of Pharmacology, Medical College of Qingdao University, Qingdao 266021, Shandong Province, China
Author contributions: All authors contributed equally to the work.
Supported by the Health Department of Shandong Province, No,1999CA1CBA3
Correspondence to: Professor Wang Yue, Department of Pharmacology, Medical College of Qingdao University, 38 Dengzhou Road, Qingdao 266021, Shandong Province, China. fangzhangqd@yahoo.com
Telephone: +86-532-82991888 Fax: +86-532-83801449
Received: July 7, 2005
Revised: July 10, 2005
Accepted: July 12, 2005
Published online: February 28, 2006
Abstract

AIM: To establish a new, reliable vomit model of minks.

METHODS: Adult male minks were randomly divided into 8 groups (n = 6): cisplatin (7.5 mg/kg) intraperitoneal injection (ip) group, copper sulfate (40 mg/kg) intragastric injection (ig) group, apomorphine (1.6 mg/kg) subcutaneous injection (sc) group, and 18 Gy whole-body X-irradiation group, ondansetron injection group (2 mg/kg ip) 30 min later followed by cisplatin (7.5 mg/kg) ip, normal saline (NS) ip injection control group, metoclopramide injection group (4 mg/kg ip) 30 min later followed by apomorphine (1.6 mg/kg) sc, NS ig control group. The frequency of retching and vomiting was calculated. After behavioral experiment, distribution of 5-HT in the ileum was detected by immunohistologic method.

RESULTS: Cisplatin, apomorphine, copper sulfate and X-irradiation administered to minks evoked a profound emetic response in the animals. However, retching and vomiting were significantly inhibited by pretreatment with ondansetron and metoclopramide in cisplatin and copper sulfate groups (P = 0.018). Immunohistologic result showed that 5-HT released from enterochromaffin cells (EC cells) was involved in vomiting mechanism.

CONCLUSION: Mink vomit model has a great value in studying the vomiting mechanism and screening new antiemetic drugs.

Keywords: Vomit; Mink; Cisplatin; Ondansetron; Apomorphine; X-irradiation