Open AccessInvestigation of Neurokinin‐1 Receptor Antagonism as a Novel Treatment for Chronic Bronchitis in Dogs
Author(s) -
Grobman M.,
Reinero C.
Publication year - 2016
Publication title -
journal of veterinary internal medicine
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.356
H-Index - 103
eISSN - 1939-1676
pISSN - 0891-6640
DOI - 10.1111/jvim.13935
Subject(s) - medicine , bronchoalveolar lavage , chronic cough , visual analogue scale , anesthesia , chronic bronchitis , nasal congestion , inflammation , gastroenterology , asthma , lung , nose , surgery
Background Canine chronic bronchitis (CCB) results in cough lasting ≥2 months and airway inflammation. Adverse effects include risk of secondary infection associated with lifelong corticosteroid administration and prompt investigation into alternative therapies. Neurogenic pathways mediated by tachykinins that bind neurokinin ( NK ) 1 receptors may induce cough and airway inflammation. Maropitant,[Note 4. CERENIA®, Zoetis, Florham Park, NJ ...] a NK ‐1 receptor antagonist, has been advocated for treatment of CCB based on anecdotal improvement, but without scientific evidence. Hypothesis/Objectives Maropitant[Note 4. CERENIA®, Zoetis, Florham Park, NJ ...] will blunt clinical signs and airway inflammation associated with CCB . Animals Client‐owned dogs (n = 8) with cough >2 months, thoracic radiographic evidence of airway disease and sterile airway inflammation (>7% non‐degenerate neutrophils, >7% eosinophils or both) on bronchoalveolar lavage ( BAL ) enrolled. Methods Maropitant[Note 4. CERENIA®, Zoetis, Florham Park, NJ ...] (2 mg/kg) administered q48h for 14 days. Study endpoints included client perception of clinical signs (surveys at baseline and 14 days, and visual analogue scale [ VAS ] at baseline, 7, and 14 days), and BAL % neutrophils and eosinophils (baseline and 14 days). One‐way repeated measures ANOVA ( VAS ) and Wilcoxon‐signed rank‐sum tests ( BAL cells, cough frequency) used with P < .05 considered significant. Results Maropitant[Note 4. CERENIA®, Zoetis, Florham Park, NJ ...] significantly decreased cough frequency ( P < .001) and VAS scores ( P = .005). No differences in BAL % neutrophils or % eosinophils noted with treatment ( P = .279 and P = .382, respectively). Conclusions and Clinical Importance Preliminary results suggest that although maropitant[Note 4. CERENIA®, Zoetis, Florham Park, NJ ...] may have antitussive properties leading to perceived clinical improvement, its failure to diminish airway inflammation makes it unsuitable for treatment of CCB . Future studies could evaluate maropitant[Note 4. CERENIA®, Zoetis, Florham Park, NJ ...] as a cough suppressant for other respiratory disorders in dogs.