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Myocardial toxicity in a group of greyhounds administered ractopamine.

Authors :
Yaeger MJ
Mullin K
Ensley SM
Ware WA
Slavin RE
Source :
Veterinary pathology [Vet Pathol] 2012 May; Vol. 49 (3), pp. 569-73. Date of Electronic Publication: 2011 Oct 12.
Publication Year :
2012

Abstract

Ractopamine, a synthetic β(2)-adrenoceptor agonist, is widely used as a feed additive in the United States to promote a reduction in body fat and enhance muscle growth in cattle, pigs, and turkeys. It has the potential for illegal use in show and racing animals because it may affect performance via its β-adrenergic agonist properties or anabolic activities. Nine greyhounds were orally administered 1 mg/kg of ractopamine to investigate the ability to detect the drug in urine. Postdosing, 7 of 9 dogs developed cardiac arrhythmias and had elevated troponin levels indicating myocardial damage. One dog necropsied 4 days postdosing had massive myocardial necrosis, mild to focally moderate skeletal muscle necrosis, and widespread segmental arterial mediolysis. A second dog necropsied 17 days postdosing had mild myocardial necrosis and fibrosis. Scattered arteries exhibited segmental medial and perimedial fibromuscular dysplasia. This is the first reported case of arterial, cardiac, and skeletal muscle damage associated with ractopamine.

Details

Language :
English
ISSN :
1544-2217
Volume :
49
Issue :
3
Database :
MEDLINE
Journal :
Veterinary pathology
Publication Type :
Academic Journal
Accession number :
21997565
Full Text :
https://doi.org/10.1177/0300985811424752