Effect of meloxicam and its combination with levofloxacin, pazufloxacin, and enrofloxacin on the plasma antioxidative activity and the body weight of rabbits

Abstract

Aim: Evaluation of meloxicam, levofloxacin, pazufloxacin, and enrofloxacin for their effect on the plasma antioxidative activity (AOA) and the body weight in rabbits. Materials and Methods: Thirty two male Soviet Chinchilla rabbits were divided to eight groups of four rabbits each. Group A, serving as control, was administered 5 % dextrose. Group B, C, E and G were gavaged meloxicam, levofloxacin, pazufloxacin and enrofloxacin, respectively, in 5% dextrose. Levofloxacin and pazufloxacin were administered at the dose rate of 10 mg/kg body weight b.i.d 12h, whereas the meloxicam and enrofloxacin were administered at 0.2mg/kg body weight o.i.d and 20 mg/kg body weight, respectively. Groups D, F and H were co-gavaged meloxicam with levofloxacin, pazufloxacin, and enrofloxacin, respectively, at the above dose rates. All these drugs were administered for 21 consecutive days. The plasma AOAand body weight was determined on 0, 7, 14, and 21 day of treatment. Results: The plasma AOAof meloxicam treated group was significantly lower than the control from 7th day of treatment. On the 14th day of treatment, the levofloxacin treated group had values significantly higher than the enrofloxacin-meloxicam cotreated group. Except for the levofloxacin treated group, a significant decrease in the antioxidative activity was observed in all treatment groups when compared to the control group on 21st day of treatment. The body weight of all groups differed nonsignificantly throughout the study period. Conclusion: The results from this study indicate that although these drugs have no effect on the body weight, a decrease in the plasma AOAis observed, especially when the duration of treatment is increased. © The authors.