We compared the edematogenic activity of venoms of scorpions from the Buthidae family, Tityus bahiensis (Tbv), Tityus serrulatus (Tsv) and Rhopalurus rochai (Rrv). Three doses (20, 40 and 80 microg/kg sc) of each venom were administrated in hind paw of mice and edema was measured from 5 min to 24 h. Tbv and Tsv both induced edema of rapid onset (135% of increase at 15 min); Rrv induced only a mild edema (40% of increase). We then investigated the involvement of platelet-activating factor (PAF) and endogenous nitric oxide (NO) in Tbv and Tsv-induced paw edema. Pretreatment of mice with a PAF antagonist (WEB-2170) inhibited Tsv but not Tbv-induced edema. Pretreatment with a non selective inhibitor of NO-synthases (L: -NAME) inhibited or increased the edema depending on the dose and the time the edema was measured. In conclusion, the venoms from Tityus are stronger inducers of edema than the venom from the Rhopalurus scorpion. The venoms of Tityus species are similar in potency and time-course edema development. PAF is involved in the edema induced only by Tsv.

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Pain is a complex multifactorial experience associated with tissue damage that causes suffering and reduces an animal’s quality of life. Maropitant citrate is a antagonist specific to the NK-1 receptor which selectively inhibits the production of substance P, a mediator involved in the signals responsible for emesis. For this reason, maropitant was initially developed for the treatment of vomiting in dogs and cats. However, substance P also has a role in the neural pathways responsible for the modulation of harmful stimuli involved in nociception and inflammation. Recent research into this role shows that maropitant citrate may be an alternative treatment for visceral pain in dogs and cats. Most of these studies have shown a reduction in the minimum alveolar concentration (MAC) of allogenated anesthetics agents with the use of maropitant citrate. This review describes studies into the potential use of maropitant citrate in anesthetic protocols in animals.