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An assay of drug‐induced emesis in the squirrel monkey ( Saimiri sciureus )
Author(s) -
Wooldridge Lisa M.,
Kangas Brian D.
Publication year - 2019
Publication title -
journal of medical primatology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.31
H-Index - 42
eISSN - 1600-0684
pISSN - 0047-2565
DOI - 10.1111/jmp.12411
Subject(s) - hypersalivation , pharmacology , apomorphine , squirrel monkey , medicine , antiemetic , vomiting , anesthesia , dopamine , dopaminergic , anatomy
Background Emesis has significant evolutionary value as a defense mechanism against ingested toxins; however, it is also one of the most common adverse symptoms associated with both disease and medical treatments of disease. The development of improved antiemetic pharmacotherapies has been impeded by a shortage of animal models. Methods The present studies characterized the responses of the squirrel monkey to pharmacologically diverse emetic drugs. Subjects were administered nicotine (0.032‐0.56 mg/kg), lithium chloride (150‐250 mg/kg), arecoline (0.01‐0.32 mg/kg), or apomorphine (0.032‐0.32 mg/kg) and observed for emesis and prodromal hypersalivation. Results Nicotine rapidly produced emesis and hypersalivation. Lithium chloride produced emesis with a longer time course without dose‐dependent hypersalivation. Arecoline produced hypersalivation but not emesis. Apomorphine failed to produce emesis or hypersalivation. Conclusions The squirrel monkey is sensitive to drug‐induced emesis by a variety of pharmacological mechanisms and is well‐positioned to examine antiemetic efficacy and clinically important side effects of candidate antiemetic pharmacotherapies.