Colica intestinale del cavallo. Ruolo eziopatogenetico degli oppioidi endogeni

Equine colic, or acute abdominal pain, is one of the most common clinical emergencies. The high frequency is influenced by anatomical structures and physiological characteristics. Intestinal colic can interfere with reproductive function in both male and female. The sperm production could be endanged for a long period in stallion. The colic management could be very difficult in the mare during pregnancy; abdominal pain can induce prernature delivery or abortion in late pregnancy. Our work is based on clinical trials and molecular study to evaluate the presence of opioidergic receptor (MOR) equine caecum, collected from healty horses. The aim of the clinical research is to evaluate the efficacy of the pharmacological treatment with calcium and naloxone (CaNx) in 37 horses affected by intestinal colic. In horses with mild or medium colic, intestinal motility started quikly, while there was a delay in horses with severe colic. All subjects presented an increased sensory depression for 1-2 h or more; this may be related to the increase of EOPs subsequent to tissutal displacement. The expression of MOR has been evaluated by RT-PCR in equine caecurn. The expected 441 bp amplified size fragment was obtained. Our clinic preliminary study demonstrate the therapeutic efficacy of CaNx to restore normal motility of the gut in horses affected by intestinal colic. The clinical findings and the molecular evaluation of MOR confirm the hypothesys of a pathogenetic role of EOPs in intestinal colic and suggest a new therapeutic approach for this syndrome.