不同剂量异氟醚对中年小鼠认知功能及海马MBP和pNF-H表达的影响

目的:探讨异氟醚对中年小鼠认知功能及海马髓磷脂碱性蛋白(MBP, myelin basic protein)和磷酸化神经丝重亚单位(pNF-H,phosphorylated neurofilament heavy chain)表达的影响。方法:给予中年小鼠不同浓度的异氟醚处理,实验分为对照组和异氟醚处理组(0.5ISO,1.0ISO,1.5ISO),其中异氟醚组小鼠细胞分别给予0.5 MAC,1.0 MAC和1.5 MAC三个浓度的异氟醚处理4小时,对照组给予O_2处理4小时,随后通过水迷宫测试检测其学习记忆能力变化,通过免疫荧光检测海马形态结构及髓鞘相关蛋白MBP和pNF-H表达变化。结果:与对照组相比,(1)类临床浓度的异氟醚处理不影响中年小鼠的自发运动能力(总运动距离:sham:7275.17±1732.58; 0.5ISO:8057.58±1732.58; 1.0ISO:7540.98±1401.61; 1.5ISO:8243.79±1257.65;运动速度:sham:116.75±22.35; 0.5ISO:135.45±32.84; 1.0ISO:130.16±21.38; 1.5ISO:142.31±20.58),但1.0 MAC和1.5 MAC的异氟醚处理明显降低了中年小鼠在水迷宫目标象限的活动时间百分比(sham:58.62±13.70; 0.5ISO:48.92±7.22; 1.0ISO:31.23±13.16; 1.5ISO:30.29±15.76)(P 0.05),且高浓度异氟醚作用强于低浓度异氟醚;(2) 1.0 MAC和1.5 MAC的异氟醚处理明显下调了海马的MBP和p NF-H表达(MBP:sham:60.48±8.20; 0.5ISO:56.69±7.86; 1.0ISO:40.15±4.50; 1.5ISO:31.66±5.46; pNF-H:sham:62.23±9.45; 0.5ISO:55.47±6.98; 1.0ISO:40.16±6.97; 1.5ISO:30.94±5.89)(P 0.05),造成了小鼠海马髓鞘结构损伤,且高浓度损伤强于低浓度。结论:异氟醚可能通过下调中年小鼠海马MBP和pNF-H表达,破坏海马髓鞘完整性而损伤小鼠的学习认知能力。     

建立新生大鼠吸入麻醉模型及异氟醚对其海马凋亡的影响

目的:建立新生大鼠吸入麻醉模型并探讨吸入麻醉药异氟醚对其海马凋亡的影响。方法:Penlon Prima SP麻醉机、异氟醚挥发罐及自制带进出气口的麻醉小室。共55只7日龄的SD大鼠用于实验。将其中35只大鼠随机分为7组(n=5)。实验组(Ⅰ-Ⅵ组)异氟醚挥发罐刻度分别为0.125%,0.25%,0.5%,1%,1.5%,2%;新生大鼠置于自制密封麻醉小室内,分别通入含上述异氟醚浓度的混合气体。对照组(第Ⅶ组)给予未混合异氟醚的30%的氧气。将小室安放于37℃恒温箱内。调节气体流量2L/min。实验组于通入气体5,10,15,30,90,180,360 min(T1-7)时于小室出口处抽取10mL气体,采用气相色谱法测定麻醉小室内异氟醚浓度。于通入气体360 min(T7)自新生大鼠左心室采血行血气分析;另取SD大鼠20只,随机分为对照组(C组,n=10),1.5%异氟醚组(I组,n=10),按上述方法建立异氟醚吸入麻醉模型,麻醉结束后2h处死大鼠,采用免疫组织化学法观察C组和I组大鼠大脑海马区Active caspase-3的表达。结果:①麻醉小室出口异氟醚浓度(Y)与麻醉机挥发罐异氟醚浓度(X)的直线回归方程为Y=1.5472X-0.0575(r=0.9993)。②血气分析结果显示:Ⅰ-Ⅵ组与Ⅶ组血气分析组间差异无统计学意义(P0.05)。③免疫组化结果显示:与C组相比,I组大鼠海马Active caspase-3明显增加,差异有统计学意义(P0.05)。结论:通过麻醉机、异氟醚挥发罐及自制密封带进出气口的麻醉小室成功建立了新生大鼠异氟醚麻醉模型;为进一步研究异氟醚及相关吸入麻醉药对突触发生期的神经毒性提供了实验基础。     

大麻素Ⅰ型受体参与异氟醚预处理诱导的大鼠脑缺血耐受

目的:探讨大麻素Ⅰ型受体(CB1受体)是否参与异氟醚预处理诱导的大鼠脑缺血耐受.方法:48只雄性SD大鼠随机分为6组(n=8):假手术组SHAM:仅暴露颈总动脉,不结扎血管;对照组MCAO:阻塞大鼠大脑中动脉2h;异氟醚预处理组ISO:大鼠吸入异氟醚(1.5％)1 h/d,连续5d;溶剂+异氟醚预处理组(Vehicle+ISO)和CB1受体拮抗剂+异氟醚预处理组(AM251 +ISO):每日在吸入异氟醚前30 min分别给予溶剂(二甲基亚砜:Tween-80:生理盐水=1∶1∶18)3 mL/kg (ip)和AM251(i.p),连续5d;CB1受体拮抗剂组(AM251):每日腹腔注射(i.p.)AM251)1 mg/kg,连续5d.除SHAM组外其余各组均在最后一次预处理24h后行颈内动脉线栓法致大脑中动脉栓塞(2 h)模型,观察再灌注后24 h神经行为学评分,然后取大脑行2,3,5-氯化三苯四唑(TTC)染色以计算脑梗死容积百分比.结果:SHAM组神经行为学正常且未见梗死灶;ISO组和Vehicle+ISO组脑梗死体积百分比分别(29.3±4.2％)和(31.5±3.4)％,明显小于MCAO组、AM251组和AM251 +ISO组(P＜0.05);神经行为学评分ISO组(12.1±0.6)和Vehicle+ISO组(11.1±0.8)明显高于MCAO组(7.4±1.2)、AM251组(7.6±1.1)和AM251 +ISO组(8.6±1.2)(P＜0.05);而AM251组、AM251 +ISO组与MCAO组之间神经行为学评分和脑梗死体积百分比均无统计学意义.结论:CB1受体可能参与了异氟醚预处理诱导的大鼠脑缺血耐受.     

异氟醚对小鼠神经干细胞活力及内大麻素系统相关基因表达的影响

目的:探讨异氟醚对小鼠神经干细胞活力及内大麻素系统相关基因表达的影响。方法:给予体外培养的小鼠海马神经干细胞不同浓度异氟醚处理,实验分为对照组和异氟醚处理组(0.5ISO,1.0ISO),其中异氟醚组细胞分别给予0.5 MAC和1.0 MAC两个浓度的异氟醚处理2小时,对照组给予O_2处理2小时,随后检测细胞活力并提取细胞RNA检测其内源性大麻素受体1(Cannabinoid receptor1,CB1)、脂肪酰胺水解酶(Fatty acid amide hydrolase,FAAH)、单酰甘油脂肪酶(Monoacylglycerol lipase,MAGL)及二酰基甘油脂肪酶(Diacylglycerol lipase alpha,DAGLα)的mRNA表达的变化。结果:与对照组相比,(1)异氟醚处理明显抑制了体外培养神经干细胞的活力,且高浓度异氟醚抑制作用强于低浓度异氟醚;(2)异氟醚上调神经干细胞的内大麻素受体CB1 mRNA水平,且高浓度异氟醚作用强于低浓度异氟醚;(3)异氟醚促进神经干细胞FAAH和MAGL的mRNA表达而抑制DAGLα的mRNA表达,且高浓度异氟醚作用强于低浓度异氟醚。结论:异氟醚可能通过影响小鼠神经干细胞的内大麻素系统影响神经干细胞的活力。     

七氟醚、异氟醚对骨肉瘤MG63细胞增殖、凋亡及化疗敏感性的影响

目的:观察不同浓度的七氟醚(Sev)、异氟醚(Iso)对骨肉瘤MG63细胞增殖、凋亡及对顺铂化疗敏感性的影响。方法:体外培养骨肉瘤MG63细胞。用噻唑蓝比色法(MTT法)检测不同浓度七氟醚和异氟醚对MG63细胞增殖的影响。平板克隆形成检测不同浓度七氟醚和异氟醚对MG63细胞克隆形成率的影响。流式细胞术检测细胞凋亡。结果:七氟醚、异氟醚对骨肉瘤MG63细胞增殖有一定抑制作用(P0.05),相对其它浓度5.1%Sev和2.6%Iso抑制作用更明显(P0.05)。七氟醚、异氟醚对骨肉瘤MG63细胞克隆形成有抑制作用(P0.05)。不同浓度Sev、Iso促进MG63凋亡作用不明显(P0.05)。2.5%Sev、2.0%Iso使骨肉瘤MG63细胞对顺铂诱导的凋亡率降低(P0.05)。结论:不同浓度的七氟醚、异氟醚可抑制骨肉瘤MG63细胞的增殖及克隆形成,高浓度的七氟醚、异氟醚对其增殖抑制作用更明显。七氟醚和异氟醚不促进骨肉瘤MG63细胞的凋亡,但可以降低其对顺铂化疗敏感性。     

异氟醚麻醉通过导致神经干细胞的丢失降低幼鼠的神经发生和认知发育的实验研究

摘要 目的：探讨异氟醚麻醉通过导致神经干细胞的丢失降低幼鼠的神经发生和认知发育。方法：SPF级雄性Sprague Dawley(SD)幼年大鼠(30只)平分为两组-对照组与异氟醚组,对照组吸入30 %氧气,异氟醚组吸入1.5最低肺泡有效浓度(minimum alveolar concentration,MAC)异氟烷,检测两组神经干细胞丢失降低与幼鼠的神经发生、认知发育情况。结果：两组建模后6 h的逃避潜伏期、Longa评分对比差异无统计学意义(P>0.05),异氟醚组建模后12 h、24 h的逃避潜伏期、Longa评分高于对照组(P<0.05)。两组建模后6 h、12 h、24 h的下肢动脉血氧饱和度在组内与组间对比差异都无统计学意义(P>0.05)。异氟醚组建模后14 d的海马组织葡萄糖调节蛋白8(GRP8)、糖原合成酶激酶-3β(GSK-3β)蛋白相对表达水平都低于对照组(P<0.05)。结论：异氟醚麻醉可通过导致神经干细胞的丢失,抑制血清GRP8、GSK-3β的释放,从而影响幼鼠的神经发生和认知发育。     

异氟烷预处理对电磁脉冲辐射所致脑损伤的保护作用研究

目的:探讨异氟烷预处理对电磁脉冲辐射所致脑损伤的保护作用。方法:选取成年雄性SD大鼠48只,采用随机数字表法,将其随机分为4组(n=12),分别为:假辐照组(CON组)、电磁辐照组(EMP组)、异氟烷预处理组(IP组)和异氟烷预处理+电磁辐照组(IP+EMP组)。EMP组场强为400 KV/m,脉冲为200次,连续辐照3天;IP组吸入2.0%异氟醚2h;IP+EMP组吸入2.0%异氟醚2 h,24 h后制备EMP损伤模型。于辐照后24 h处死大鼠,每组随机抽取3只大鼠,取脑组织,采用ELISA法检测大鼠海马IL-6和TNF-α的表达变化;尼氏染色法观察大鼠海马区神经元的凋亡;采用Western blot法检测大鼠海马区BDNF蛋白的表达情况;采用免疫荧光法检测大鼠海马区BDNF细胞水平的表达。结果:与CON组比较,EMP组、IP组、IP+EMP组的IL-6和TNF-α的表达增高,尼氏小体减少,BDNF蛋白及细胞水平的表达均下调(P0.05);与EMP组比较,IP组和IP+EMP组IL-6和TNF-α的表达降低,尼氏小体增多,BDNF蛋白及细胞水平的表达上调(P0.05)。结论:异氟烷预处理可减轻电磁脉冲辐射所致脑损伤,其机制可能与减轻大鼠炎症反应有关。     

异氟烷预处理对小鼠脑缺血再灌注后缺血半暗带炎性小体NALP3表达的影响

目的:研究吸入麻醉药异氟烷预处理对小鼠急性脑梗死缺血半暗带的保护作用,探讨NALP3(NACHT-LRR-PYD-containing Protiein-3 inflammsome)其中发挥的作用。方法:将45只ICR小鼠分为假手术组(Sham)、缺血再灌注组(I/R),异氟烷预处理组(Iso),每组数字15只。其中假手术组仅分离血管,缺血再灌注组采用线栓法制备缺血再灌注小鼠脑缺血半暗带模型,异氟烷预处理组造模前吸入2.0%异氟烷2 h。再灌注24 h后处死小鼠,激光共聚焦检测脑组织内NALP3的表达分布;蛋白免疫印迹(Western blot)法和荧光实时定量PCR(Polymerase Chain Reaction)法检测脑缺血半暗带中NALP3、NF-κB的表达;酶联免疫吸附(ELISA)法检测脑缺血半暗带中IL-1β的表达。结果:脑组织内NALP3的表达主要集中于脑缺血半暗带中,正常组织与梗死区NALP3表达较少;脑缺血再灌注后,I/R组小鼠脑缺血半暗带中NALP3、NF-κB的蛋白表达水平升高,mRNA表达水平显著升高,与sham组相比,差异均有统计学意义(P0.05);异氟烷与处理后,Iso组小鼠脑缺血半暗带中NALP3、NF-κB的蛋白表达水平降低,mRNA表达水平显著降低,与I/R组相比,差异均有统计学意义(P0.05);ELISA检测结果显示,I/R组脑缺血半暗带中IL-1β表达水平较Sham组升高了4倍,而异氟烷预处理组的小鼠脑缺血半暗带IL-1β表达水平较I/R组降低36%,差异均具有统计学意义(P0.05)。结论:异氟烷预处理可抑制NALP3的表达及炎症因子IL-1β的分泌,这种抑制作用可能与异氟烷抑制NF-κB的表达有关。     

利多卡因对异氟醚麻醉后大鼠海马组织炎症及认知功能的影响

目的:研究利多卡因对异氟醚麻醉后大鼠海马区炎症因子、神经活性物质及认知功能的影响。方法:60只老龄SD大鼠随机分为3组:异氟醚组、利多卡因+异氟醚组、对照组各20只,建立大鼠吸入麻醉模型。利多卡因+异氟醚组给予静脉注射利多卡因,其他组给予生理盐水作为对照。麻醉结束后24 h Morris水迷宫实验评价大鼠认知功能,ELISA法检测大鼠海马组织炎症因子和神经活性物质。结果:与对照组相比,异氟醚组Morris水迷宫逃避潜伏期延长(P0.05),平台象限停留时间及穿越平台次数减少(P0.05),海马组织TNF-α、IL-6、IL-1β水平升高(P0.05),NT-3、NGF、BDNF水平降低(P0.05)。利多卡因明显缩短异氟醚麻醉大鼠的逃避潜伏期并增加其平台象限停留时间及穿越平台次数(P0.05),降低海马组织炎症水平(P0.05),升高神经活性物质水平(P0.05)。结论:利多卡因可明显缓解异氟醚麻醉后大鼠海马组织的炎症反应并升高海马组织神经活性物质水平,改善认知功能障碍。     

丙泊酚与异氟醚麻醉对妇科腹腔镜手术患者血流动力学及应激反应的影响

目的:探究丙泊酚与异氟醚麻醉对接受妇科腹腔镜手术的患者应激激素以及血流动力学的影响。方法:选取我院妇科收治的需要进行腹腔镜手术的患者90例,根据麻醉用药不同,将其分为丙泊酚组、异氟醚组及实验组,每组各30例。观测患者不同时段去甲肾上腺素(NE)、肾上腺素(E)、皮质醇(COS)的浓度及心率、平均动脉压、呼吸频率、血氧饱和度等血流动力学参数的变化情况。结果:三组患者麻醉前及气腹20 min的去甲肾上腺素、肾上腺素以及皮质醇含量比较均无显著差异(P0.05);气腹前,实验组患者去甲肾上腺素含量显著低于丙泊酚组及异氟醚组(P0.05);放气10 min,实验组患者肾上腺水平显著高于丙泊酚组及异氟醚组(P0.05);三组患者麻醉前及气腹前的心率、平均动脉压、呼吸以及血氧饱和度比较均无显著差异(P0.05);气腹20 min,实验组患者的心率、平均动脉压、呼吸显著优于丙泊酚组及异氟醚组(P0.05);术后放气10 min,实验组患者的心率、平均动脉压、呼吸显著优于丙泊酚组及异氟醚组(P0.05);实验组患者术后出现恶心、呕吐等症状显著优于丙泊酚组及异氟醚组(P0.05)。结论:丙泊酚复合异氟醚可有效改善接受妇科腹腔镜手术的患者麻醉期间的应激反应和血流动力学,患者术后恶心、呕吐等不良反应少,值得推广使用。     

Comparison of the effects of volatile anesthetics in varying concentrations on brain energy metabolism with brain ischemia in rats

The effects of varying concentrations and types of volatile anesthetics on neurochemical sequelae of brain ischemia were evaluated in the rat. Rats were assigned to treatment defined by a 3×3 design (anesthetic type and dose) with 5 rats/cell. Each group received halothane, enflurane, or isoflurane 0.5, 1.0, or 2.0 MAC (minimal alevolar concentration). This was followed by preischemic plasma glucose sampling, 5 min hypotension (30 mmHg) and 5 min decapitation cerebral ischemia. Preischemia plasma glucose increased with increasing anesthetic concentration and was highest in the isoflurane groups, varying from a low (±SD) of 7.19±1.79 mol/ml in the 0.5 MAC halothane group to a high of 12.68±3.65 mol/ml in the 2.0 MAC isoflurane group. End-ischemic brain lactate correlated with preischemic plasma glucose (r=0.5, =0.5). We conclude that increasing concentration of volatile anesthesia with iv phenylephrine blood pressure support produces higher levels of plasma glucose and brain lactate with cerebral ischemia.     

Isoflurane but not halothane minimum alveolar concentration-sparing response of dexmedetomidine is enhanced in rats chronically treated with selective α2-adrenoceptor agonist

Halothane minimum alveolar concentration (MAC)-sparing response is preserved in rats rendered tolerant to the action of dexmedetomidine. It has been shown that halothane and isoflurane act at different sites to produce immobility. The authors studied whether there was any difference between halothane and isoflurane MAC-sparing effects of dexmedetomidine in rats after chronic administration of a low dose of this drug. Twenty-four female Wistar rats were randomly allocated into four groups of six animals: two groups received 10 μg/kg intraperitoneal dexmedetomidine for five days (treated groups) and the other two groups received intraperitoneal saline solution for five days (naive groups) prior to halothane or isoflurane MAC determination (one treated and one naive group of halothane and one treated and one naive group of isoflurane). Halothane or isoflurane MAC determination was performed before (basal) and 30 min after an intraperitoneal dose of 30 μg/kg of dexmedetomidine (post-dex) from alveolar gas samples at the time of tail clamp. Administration of an acute dose of dexmedetomidine to animals that had chronically received dexmedetomidine resulted in a MAC-sparing effect that was similar to that seen in naive animals for halothane; however, the same treatment increased the MAC-sparing response of dexmedetomidine for isoflurane. Isoflurane but not halothane MAC-sparing response of acutely administered dexmedetomidine is enhanced in rats chronically treated with this drug.     

Pre-treatment with isoflurane ameliorates renal ischemic-reperfusion injury in mice

AimsPerioperative renal dysfunction is associated with a high mortality. The aim of this study was to investigate whether isoflurane preconditioning provides a protection against renal ischemic–reperfusion injury and whether hypoxia inducible factor 1α (HIF-1α) is responsible for the protection afforded by isoflurane in mice.Main methodsAdult male C57BL/6 mice received vehicle (PBS), scrambled siRNA or HIF-1α siRNA via hydrodynamic injection through tail vein. Twenty-four hours after injection, they were exposed to 1.5% isoflurane in oxygen enriched air for 2 h while controls without injection were exposed to oxygen enriched air. Twenty-four hours after gas exposure, mice were sacrificed and their kidney were harvested for western blot while other cohorts underwent renal ischemia–reperfusion injury induced by bilateral renal pedicle clamping for 25 min for renal histological or functional analysis 24 h after reperfusion or by unilateral clamping for 40 min for survival rate analysis.Key findingsSurvival rate and the expression of HIF-1α and erythropoietin were significantly increased while apoptosis, renal tubule score, blood plasma creatinine and urea were decreased by isoflurane preconditioning. HIF-1α siRNA but not scrambled siRNA injection abrogated the protective effect of isoflurane preconditioning.SignificanceOur data suggested that isoflurane preconditioning provided a protection against renal ischemic–reperfusion injury which is very likely due to hypoxia inducible factor-1α upregulation.     

General anesthesia of infant mice by isoflurane inhalation for medium-duration surgery.

In this report we describe a means of general anesthesia for medium-duration (i.e., 20 to 60 min) surgery of infant mice. We tested isoflurane inhalation (2.0% isoflurane in air or oxygen during induction, and 1.5% after surgical anesthesia) anesthesia of 6-to 10-day-old C57BL/6JJcl mice and obtained safe, effective, and reproducible results.     

Thrombin inhibitor reduces myocardial infarction in apoE-/- x LDLR-/- mice

We have previously shown that atherosclerotic apolipoprotein E-deficient (apoE(-/-)) x LDL receptor-deficient (LDLR(-/-)) mice develop myocardial infarction when exposed to hypoxic stress. This study was performed to assess the role of thrombin and thrombosis in this process. ApoE(-/-) x LDLR(-/-) mice were fed a cholesterol-rich diet for 8 mo and were then subjected to hypoxic stress while receiving isoflurane anesthesia. One group received a bolus dose (5.6 micromol/kg) of the thrombin inhibitor melagatran, and control animals received PBS 10 min before the hypoxic stress. The mice were exposed to 10 min of hypoxia followed by normoxia. Ten minutes after the stress, Alzet pumps delivering melagatran (20 nmol x kg x (-1)min(-1)) or PBS were implanted, and the mice were allowed to recover for 48 h. The cardiac response was analyzed by histology, immunohistochemistry, and serum troponin T assay. All animals showed reversible ECG changes as a sign of ischemia during hypoxic stress, and 50% developed infarctions afterward as judged by troponin T levels. The group that received thrombin inhibitor had significantly lower troponin T and smaller myocardial infarctions than the PBS-treated group. These data show that thrombin generation is an important pathogenetic factor and suggest that coronary thrombosis is involved in myocardial infarction in atherosclerotic mice. Exposure of atherosclerotic mice to hypoxia leads to myocardial infarction through a two-phase pathway in which acute transient ischemia is followed by thrombin-dependent, irreversible, myocardial ischemia and myocardial cell death.     

Changes in minimal alveolar concentration of isoflurane following treatment with medetomidine and tiletamine/zolazepam, epidural morphine or systemic buprenorphine in pigs

The aim of this study was to determine the changes in minimal alveolar concentration (MAC) of isoflurane after treatment with medetomidine and tiletamine/zolazepam (MTZ), epidural morphine or systemic buprenorphine in 11 healthy crossbred pigs. The first part of this study was to measure the baseline values in pigs induced with isoflurane (5%) by face mask and maintained with isoflurane in air and oxygen for 2 h (ISO). Baseline isoflurane MAC was determined using mechanical stimulation. Thereafter, each pig was randomly chosen for a crossover test in which the same animal received three different treatments with at least one week in between treatments. The three treatments were as follows: induction of anaesthesia with medetomidine (0.05 mg kg(-1)) and tiletamine/zolazepam (2.5 mg kg(-1) each) given intramuscularly (MTZ); MTZ followed by epidural morphine (0.1 mg kg(-1); MTZ/M); and MTZ followed by intramuscular buprenorphine (0.1 mg kg(-1); MTZ/B). All pigs were maintained with isoflurane in oxygen and air for 2 h and their lungs were mechanically ventilated. The end-tidal isoflurane concentration, respiratory rate, inspiratory and expiratory O2 and CO2 concentrations, heart rate (HR) and arterial blood pressure were recorded every 10 min. Arterial blood gases were analysed every 20 min. Among the treatment groups, differences in isoflurane MAC were tested using GLM and Tukey's method for further comparison; P < 0.05 was adopted as significant. Isoflurane MAC was 1.9 +/- 0.3%. MTZ reduced isoflurane MAC to 0.6 +/- 0.1%. Additional morphine or buprenorphine reduced the MTZ isoflurane MAC further to 0.4 +/- 0.2 and 0.3 +/- 0.1%, respectively. During MTZ, MTZ/M and MTZ/B mean arterial blood pressure was higher and the alveolar-arterial oxygen tension difference was lower compared with ISO. In conclusion, induction of anaesthesia with MTZ reduced the isoflurane MAC in pigs by 68%. Additional epidural morphine or systemic buprenorphine decreased MTZ isoflurane MAC by 33 and 50%, respectively.     

Effect of a dopamine antagonist on ventilation during sustained hypoxia in mice

To test the hypothesis that dopamine accumulated in the carotid body limits hyperventilation during acclimatization to sustained hypoxia, we administered the dopamine antagonist droperidol to mice undergoing acclimatization to an inspired O2 fraction (FIo2) of 0.1. Twelve mice were exposed to hypoxia for 10 days and ventilation in 10% O2 and in 7% CO2 in air were measured daily by a plethysmographic method. Under both conditions ventilation increased during acclimatization to hypoxia: ventilation in 10% O2 increased from 39.4 +/- 3.8 (mean +/- SE) ml/min before exposure to sustained hypoxia to 72.2 +/- 4.2 ml/min after 3 days of continuous hypoxia, and ventilation in 7% CO2 in air at the same time increased from 113.2 +/- 5.4 ml/min to 140.0 +/- 5.6 ml/min. Twelve mice were exposed to FIo2 of 0.1 for 10 days and received droperidol (300 micrograms/kg intraperitoneally) before exposure to sustained hypoxia and on the 2nd, 4th, and 8th days of continuous hypoxia. Before exposure to sustained hypoxia, droperidol increased ventilation in 10% O2 from 40.1 +/- 2.5 ml/min to 72.5 +/- 5.2 ml/min, but after 2, 4, and 8 days of continuous hypoxia droperidol caused an acute fall in ventilation (ventilation in 10% O2 after droperidol on day 2: 49.1 +/- 3.1 ml/min, on day 4: 44.4 +/- 3.7 ml/min, and on day 8: 27.8 +/- 3.4 ml/min). Two days after the animals were returned to room air, ventilation in 10% O2 again increased in response to droperidol. We conclude that dopamine in the carotid body does not limit ventilatory responses to hypoxia during acclimatization to sustained hypoxia.     

NARCOBIT: a newly developed inhalational anesthesia system for mice.

NARCOBIT is the first anesthetic system for mice and rats to incorporate a ventilator. Therefore, it is expected to improve the reliability of mice and rat experiments by accurately controlling and maintaining the depth of anesthesia. In this study, we used NARCOBIT for inducing inhalational anesthesia in mice and evaluated the changes in their hemodynamic parameters. ICR mice were anesthetized with 5% isoflurane and room air, followed by endotracheal intubation. Subsequently, they were mechanically ventilated, and anesthesia was maintained by 2% isoflurane for a 60-min period (maintenance state) using NARCOBIT. In study 1, the heart rate (HR) and mean arterial blood pressure (MAP) were measured. The skin blood flow (SBF) from the hind legs was continuously measured during the maintenance state. Subsequently, the concentration-dependent effects of isoflurane on MAP were examined. In study 2, blood samples were obtained from the abdominal aorta for blood gas analysis. The HR and MAP decreased after anesthesia but were stable during the maintenance state. Decreased MAP and concentration-dependent effects of isoflurane were observed. The SBF increased slightly during the maintenance state but this increase was insignificant. The blood gas analysis showed neither hypoxia nor hypercapnia. Since the use of NARCOBIT enables the anesthetic concentration of isoflurane to be easily changed, a suitable anesthesia depth can be obtained for experimental purposes. Therefore, we conclude that NARCOBIT can be used for providing inhalational anesthesia to mice.     

Pulmonary arterial pressure-flow plots in dogs: effects of isoflurane and nitroprusside

We investigated the effects of nitroprusside and isoflurane on multipoint pulmonary arterial pressure (PAP)/cardiac index (Q) plots in pentobarbital sodium-anesthetized dogs ventilated alternatively in hyperoxia (fraction of inspired O2, FIO2, 0.4) and hypoxia (FIO2 0.1). Over the entire range of Q studied, 2-5 l.min-1.m-2, hypoxia increased PAP in 16 dogs ("responders") and did not affect PAP in 16 other dogs ("nonresponders"). A hypoxic pulmonary vasoconstriction (HPV) was restored in the nonresponders by intravenous administration of 1 g of acetylsalicylic acid (ASA). Nitroprusside (5 micrograms.kg-1.min-1) inhibited HPV in responders (n = 8) and nonresponders treated with ASA (n = 8). End-tidal 1.41% isoflurane (a minimal alveolar concentration equal to one for dogs) did not affect HPV in responders (n = 8) and nonresponders treated with ASA (n = 8). In the latter group isoflurane increased PAP at the highest Q studied (3-5 l.min-1.m-2) in hyperoxia and hypoxia. In a final group of eight dogs with Q kept constant, PAP remained unchanged during two consecutive sequences of alternated 30-min periods (maximum time to generate a PAP/Q plot) successively at FIO2 0.4 and 0.1, and the hypoxia-induced increase in PAP was reproducible. Thus the present experimental model appeared suitable for the study of the effects of hypoxia and drugs on pulmonary vascular tone of intact dogs. At the given doses HPV was inhibited by nitroprusside and not affected by isoflurane. Products of arachidonic acid metabolism possibly could be implicated in the pulmonary vascular effects of isoflurane.