Researchers at the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Helsinki have demonstrated that a drug called vatinoxan significantly improves the safety and quality of anaesthesia in rats. The finding can affect a large number of laboratory animals globally since, in Western countries alone, more than one hundred million rodents are estimated to be used every year in biomedical research.
The studies show that vatinoxan inhibits exophthalmos, or the bulging of the eyes out of their sockets, associated with commonly used sedatives. Moreover, vatinoxan improves tissue oxygenation, prevents hyperglycaemia and diuretic water loss associated with these sedatives. Improved anaesthesia produces more reliable study results and directly reduces the number of laboratory animals needed.
“Even a modest reduction would spare numerous animals each year,” says Associate Professor Jussi Honkavaara , who heads the research group.
In her doctoral research, veterinarian Minna Mustikka showed that in rats vatinoxan inhibits exophthalmos, a known adverse effect of commonly used sedatives. The first article of her doctoral thesis has been published in the Journal of Ocular Pharmacology and Therapeutics. Veterinarian Emily Lindh ’s doctoral research demonstrates that vatinoxan improves tissue oxygenation by reducing the adverse circulatory effects of sedatives .
Vatinoxan was originally developed for canine sedation through collaboration by the research group and the Finnish Vetcare company.
The research is being conducted in close cooperation with the company and veterinarians from the University’s Laboratory Animal Centre. The scope is currently expanding to mice.
Journal of Ocular Pharmacology and Therapeutics
Vatinoxan Prevents Medetomidine-Associated Exophthalmos and Increased Glucose Concentrations in Blood and Aqueous Humor in Rats
14-Jul-2026