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S Dohi

Publications and source records attributed to S Dohi.

At least 55 records · Page 3Linked to original sources

Intrathecal dexmedetomidine attenuates hypercapnic but not hypoxic cerebral vasodilation in anesthetized rabbits.

BACKGROUND: Systemic dexmedetomidine (DXM) attenuates the cerebral vasodilation induced by hypercapnia and decreases the cerebral blood flow response to hypoxia. We determined whether lumbar intrathecal DXM affected the cerebrovascular reactivity to hypercapnia and hypoxia. METHODS: Rabbits (n = 55) anesthetized with pentobarbital were prepared for measurement of pial vessel diameters using a closed cranial window preparation. The first study evaluated the response to hypercapnia after intrathecal administration of DXM (2 microg/kg; n = 7) or normal saline (n = 8). The second evaluated the response to hypercapnia after intrathecal DXM in the presence of yohimbine (20 microg/kg followed by DXM 2 microg/kg; n = 7). The third evaluated the response to mild or moderate hypoxia after intrathecal DXM (2 microg/kg; n = 7) or normal saline (n = 7). The hypercapnic responses were also examined in the presence of systemic DXM (2, 10 microg/kg; n = 6), topical DXM (10-8 m, 10-6 m; n = 6) and of intrathecal clonidine (2 microg/kg; n = 7). RESULTS: The pial arteriolar dilator response to hypercapnia was significantly attenuated after intrathecal administration of DXM. Pretreatment with yohimbine completely blocked the decreased reactivity to hypercapnia. Intrathecal clonidine, although less than DXM, also attenuate the hypercapnic response. Intrathecal DXM did not affect the vasodilation of pial arterioles induced by mild or moderate hypoxia. The systemic DXM 10 microg/kg and topical DXM 10-6 m, but not systemic 2 microg/kg and topical 10-8 m, attenuated hypercapnic vasodilation of pial arterioles. CONCLUSIONS: The presence of alpha2-adrenoceptor agonist administered intrathecally into the lumbar spinal region attenuates hypercapnic but not hypoxic cerebral vasodilation, probably via a stimulation of central alpha2-adrenergic receptors of the central nervous system.

Adjuvants, Anesthesia↗

Pentobarbital, but not propofol, suppresses vasopressin-stimulated heat shock protein 27 induction in aortic smooth muscle cells.

BACKGROUND: Although it is known that systemic blood pressure decreases after the administration of pentobarbital or propofol, the mechanisms underlying the cardiovascular effects of these anesthetics are still poorly understood. The authors previously showed that vasopressin stimulates the induction of heat shock protein (HSP) 27, a low-molecular-weight HSP, by a protein kinase C-dependent manner in aortic smooth muscle A10 cells. It is recognized that HSP27 may act as a chaperone like high-molecular-weight HSPs such as HSP70. HSP27 is reportedly associated with agonist-induced contraction of vascular smooth muscle cells. The authors examined the effects of pentobarbital and propofol on the vasopressin-stimulated HSP27 induction in A10 cells. METHODS: Cultured A10 cells were pretreated with pentobarbital or propofol and then stimulated by vasopressin or 12-o-tetradecanoylphorbol 13-acetate (TPA). The effect of vasopressin on HSP70 was evaluated by Western blot analysis and compared with its effect on HSP27. The concentrations of HSP27 were determined by a specific immunoassay. The effect of pentobarbital on the expression levels of mRNA for HSP27 by vasopressin was evaluated by Northern blot analysis. RESULTS: Vasopressin induced HSP27 but had little effect on HSP70. At concentrations used clinically, pentobarbital inhibited the accumulation of HSP27 by vasopressin or TPA. Pentobarbital reduced the levels of mRNA for HSP27 induced by vasopressin. In contrast, propofol affected neither the vasopressin- nor TPA-induced HSP27 accumulation. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that pentobarbital suppresses the vasopressin-stimulated HSP27 induction in vascular smooth muscle cells. This inhibitory effect is probably exerted at a point downstream from protein kinase C.

Anesthetics, Intravenous↗

Differences in cardiovascular response to airway stimulation at different sites and blockade of the responses by lidocaine.

BACKGROUND: Mechanical stimulation of the airways elicits abrupt cardiovascular responses (CVR) in anesthetized humans. We examined a potential difference in such responses by comparing changes in heart rate (HR) and arterial blood pressure (AP) responses to mechanical stimulation of three different parts of the airways, as well as the effects of localized airway anesthesia with lidocaine on these responses. METHODS: After induction of general anesthesia, the larynx under laryngeal mask insertion (L, n = 20), the trachea-carina under tracheal intubation (T, n = 20), or the bronchus under bronchial intubation (B, N = 20) of each patient was mechanically stimulated in a similar manner. The same stimulation was repeated in 15 patients in each group after 5 ml of 4% lidocaine had been sprayed onto the part of the airway being stimulated. To test the systemic effect, intravenous lidocaine 1 mg/kg was given to five patients in each group, followed by the same airway stimulation. Consequent changes in HR and AP were continuously recorded and analyzed. RESULTS: Significant increases in HR and AP in response to airway tactile stimulation differed in magnitude according to the stimulated sites (L > T > or = B). These responses were completely blocked by topical application of lidocaine and partially blocked by intravenous lidocaine. CONCLUSIONS: We found that CVRs to tactile stimulation differ in their magnitude at three different sites within the airways, and localized anesthesia with lidocaine can abolish these responses in humans. The inhibition of lidocaine could be mainly due to direct blockade of the mechanoreceptors of the airways and partly to its systemic effect.

Administration, Topical↗

Effects of cholinomimetic injection into the brain stem reticular formation on halothane anesthesia and antinociception in rats.

The brain stem reticular formation plays an important role in determining consciousness and arousal. Modulation of cholinergic neurotransmission in this region alters the sleep-wake cycle. In the present study, we examined the effect of the direct application of cholinergic agents into the pontine reticular nucleus on anesthetic requirements and recovery and antinociception in rats. Sprague-Dawley rats were implanted with 24-gauge guide cannulas 1.0 mm above the oral portion of pontine reticular nucleus (PnO) while under pentobarbital anesthesia with the use of a stereotaxic apparatus. After recovery from surgery, animals were randomly assigned to one of the following protocols: minimum alveolar concentration (MAC), recovery time, tail-flick latency, or motor blockade. All measurements were performed after carbachol microinjection into the PnO after pretreatment with atropine or mecamylamine. Carbachol injection into the PnO significantly reduced MAC of halothane and prolonged recovery in a dose-dependent manner. Pretreatment with atropine reversed MAC reduction by carbachol, and both atropine and mecamylamine shortened recovery time under carbachol. In unanesthetized rats, carbachol produced antinociceptive effects as reflected by a change in tail-flick latency response. Atropine and mecamylamine inhibited antinociceptive effects of carbachol. These results suggest that cholinomimetic injection into the PnO modulates the anesthetic state produced by halothane, suggesting participation of this area in the mechanisms in the brain that generate the anesthetic state.

Analgesia↗

Effects of local anesthetics on phospholipase D activity in differentiated human promyelocytic leukemic HL60 cells.

Local anesthetics impair certain functions of neutrophils, and phospholipase D (PLD) is considered to play an important role in the regulation of these functions. To understand the mechanisms by which local anesthetics suppress the functions of neutrophils, we examined the effects of local anesthetics on PLD in neutrophil-like differentiated human promyelocytic leukemic HL60 cells. Tetracaine, a local anesthetic, inhibited formyl-methionyl-leucyl-phenylalanine (fMLP)- and 4beta-phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA)-induced PLD activation, but potentiated fMLP-stimulated phospholipase C activity. All four local anesthetics tested suppressed PMA-induced PLD activation to different extents, and the order of their potency was tetracaine > bupivacaine > lidocaine > procaine. In a cell-free system, tetracaine suppressed guanosine 5'-O-(3-thiotriphosphate) (GTPgammaS)-induced PLD activation as well as PMA-induced PLD activation. Western blot analysis revealed that tetracaine prevented the membrane translocation of PLD-activating factors, ADP-ribosylation factor, RhoA, and protein kinase Calpha. Tetracaine also inhibited the activity of recombinant hPLD1a in vitro. These results suggest that local anesthetics suppress PLD activation in differentiated HL60 cells by preventing the membrane translocation of PLD-activating factors, and/or by directly inhibiting the enzyme per se. Therefore, it could be assumed that local anesthetics would suppress the functions of neutrophils by inhibition of PLD activation.

Anesthetics, Local↗

Propofol anesthesia enhances pressor response to ephedrine in patients given clonidine.

UNLABELLED: We studied the hemodynamic effects of ephedrine in patients with or without clonidine premedication during either isoflurane or propofol anesthesia. Forty adult patients were randomly assigned to one of two groups: 20 patients received famotidine 20 mg orally (control group) and 20 received clonidine 3 microg/kg and famotidine 20 mg orally (clonidine group). Within each group, 10 patients were then anesthetized with isoflurane and 10 with propofol. Hemodynamic measurements were taken at 1-min intervals for 10 min after a bolus injection of ephedrine 0.1 mg/kg. The magnitude of the maximal pressor response to ephedrine was no different whether patients without clonidine were anesthetized with isoflurane (increase 5+/-7 mm Hg) or propofol (3+/-9 mm Hg); however, this response was greater (P<0.05) with propofol (17+/-6 mm Hg) versus isoflurane (6+/-5 mm Hg) in patients given clonidine. The arterial blood pressure increase in clonidine-premedicated patients with propofol anesthesia was the largest among the four subgroups. The heart rate response to ephedrine was not significant in patients anesthetized with isoflurane and was small but significant in those anesthetized with propofol. The present results, together with previous studies on the effect of ephedrine in patients medicated with clonidine, suggest that the interaction between clonidine and ephedrine is modulated by the anesthetic used. IMPLICATIONS: We evaluated the pressor response to ephedrine during isoflurane or propofol anesthesia with or without clonidine premedication. Our study suggests that, in anesthetized patients premedicated with clonidine, decreases in blood pressure may be easier to reverse with ephedrine with some types of anesthesia (e.g., propofol) than with others (e.g., isoflurane).

Adult↗

Intravenous dexmedetomidine inhibits cerebrovascular dilation induced by isoflurane and sevoflurane in dogs.

UNLABELLED: Our aim in this study, performed using a closed cranial window preparation, was to investigate the effect of systemic pretreatment with dexmedetomidine on cerebrovascular response to isoflurane or sevoflurane. After instrumentation under pentobarbital anesthesia, 48 dogs were assigned to one of two groups: the isoflurane group or the sevoflurane group (n = 24 each). Twenty-four dogs received saline (n = 6) or one of three different doses of dexmedetomidine (0.5, 1.0, or 2.0 micrograms/kg) (n = 6 each) i.v. Animals were then exposed to three different minimum alveolar anesthetic concentrations (MACs; 0.5, 1.0, and 1.5) of either isoflurane or sevoflurane. Cerebrovascular diameters were measured at each stage. Pretreatment with dexmedetomidine decreased pial vessel diameters. Both isoflurane and sevoflurane significantly dilated both arterioles and venules in a concentration-dependent manner. Isoflurane- and sevoflurane-induced dilation of cerebral arterioles was significantly attenuated in the presence of dexmedetomidine. The dexmedetomidine-induced attenuation of the vascular responses was not dependent on the dose of dexmedetomidine and was not different between isoflurane and sevoflurane. The vasodilation of cerebral pial vessels induced by isoflurane and sevoflurane could be attenuated by the systemic administration of dexmedetomidine, and this interaction between dexmedetomidine and volatile anesthetics showed no evidence of dose-dependency. IMPLICATIONS: The systemic administration of dexmedetomidine attenuates the dilation of cerebral vessels induced by isoflurane and sevoflurane in pentobarbital-anesthetized dogs. This interaction was not dependent on the clinical (0.5-2.0 micrograms/kg) dose of dexmedetomidine and was not different between isoflurane and sevoflurane anesthesia.

Adrenergic alpha-Agonists↗

Hemodynamic responses induced by dopamine and dobutamine in anesthetized patients premedicated with clonidine.

UNLABELLED: To test the hypothesis that the pharmacological effects of dopamine (DOA) and dobutamine (DOB) are altered when there is inhibition of the release of norepinephrine from nerve endings, we examined the hemodynamic responses to DOA and DOB in anesthetized patients premedicated with oral clonidine. Seventy adult patients were assigned to one of two groups (oral premedication with clonidine 5 microg/kg or no premedication). After the induction of general anesthesia, heart rate and systemic blood pressure (BP) were measured for 10 min after each of five IV infusions (3 and 5 microg x kg(-1) x min(-1) of DOA; 0.5, 1, and 3 microg x kg(-1) x min(-1) of DOB) in a randomized, double-blind manner. In patients given clonidine, the mean BP increases induced by DOA 5 microg x kg(-1) x min(-1) were significantly attenuated (P < 0.01), whereas the mean BP increases induced by DOB-0.5, 1, or 3 microg x kg(-l) x min(-1) were significantly enhanced (P < 0.01 or 0.05). The heart rate responses to DOA and DOB did not differ between patients with or without clonidine. Premedication with clonidine alters the effects on BP to both DOA and DOB. When small doses of DOA or DOB are used in clonidine-premedicated patients, differences of pharmacological profiles need to be considered for perioperative management. IMPLICATIONS: Our randomized, double-blind study suggests that premedication with clonidine may enhance the effect on blood pressure response to a small dose of dobutamine (direct-acting) and attenuate that to a small dose of dopamine (mixed direct-and indirect-acting) in patients anesthetized with fentanyl and nitrous oxide.

Administration, Oral↗

Attenuated additional hypocapnic constriction, but not hypercapnic dilation, of spinal pial arterioles during spinal ropivacaine.

UNLABELLED: Ropivacaine constricts spinal vessels. Because the CO2 response of spinal vessels is similar to that of cerebral vessels, we tested to see if hypocapnia would cause further spinal vasoconstriction during ropivacaine administration. In 12 pentobarbital-anesthetized dogs, spinal pial arteriolar diameter was measured using a closed spinal window preparation. Either ropivacaine solution (0.1%; n = 6) or artificial cerebrospinal fluid (n = 6) was infused continuously into the spinal window. After a period of hypocapnia (Paco2, 20-25 mm Hg) had been induced, inspired CO2 levels were adjusted to produce normocapnia (35-40 mm Hg) followed by hypercapnia (55-60 mm Hg). When the desired Paco2 was reached, measurements were made of the arteriolar diameter and physiological variables. During normocapnia, ropivacaine infusion produced a significant constriction of pial arterioles, whereas artificial cerebrospinal fluid caused no change. Hypocapnia induced a much smaller (almost nonexistent) additional vasoconstriction in the ropivacaine group than in the control group (P < 0.01). The final hypercapnic vasodilation was somewhat greater during ropivacaine (P < 0.05 versus control group). Topical ropivacaine induced no change in hemodynamic variables. We conclude that hypocapnia of the magnitude tested did not cause further constriction in spinal vessels during spinal ropivacaine. IMPLICATIONS: During topical application of the local anesthetic ropivacaine in dogs, hypocapnia (Paco2, 20-25 mm Hg) induced almost no additional constriction of spinal arterioles, and the hypercapnic vasodilation was maintained. These data suggest that an additional constriction in spinal vessels is unlikely when hypocapnia occurs during spinal ropivacaine.

Administration, Topical↗

Effect of propofol on arachidonate cascade by vasopressin in aortic smooth muscle cells: inhibition of PGI2 synthesis.

BACKGROUND: The mechanisms underlying the vascular effects of propofol are not fully understood. Vasopressin, a potent vasoactive peptide, stimulates the arachidonate cascade and the synthesis of prostacyclin (PGI2; the main metabolite of the cascade in vascular smooth muscle cells). Arachidonic acid (AA) release by phospholipases is the rate-limiting step in the cascade. We investigated the mechanisms underlying vasopressin-induced AA release and the effect of propofol on PGI2 synthesis in a rat aortic smooth muscle cell line: A10 cells. METHODS: In cultured A10 cells pretreated with propofol, the stimulation by vasopressin of AA release and PGI2 synthesis was evaluated by measuring [3H]AA and 6-keto PGF1alpha, respectively, in the culture medium. The effects of propofol on vasopressin-induced activation of phosphoinositide-hydrolyzing phospholipase C and phosphatidylcholine-hydrolyzing phospholipase D were evaluated by measuring inositol phosphate formation and choline formation, respectively. RESULTS: A phospholipase C inhibitor and a phosphatidic acid phosphohydrolase inhibitor both attenuated vasopressin-induced AA release and PGI2 synthesis, as did a phospholipase A2 inhibitor. Propofol inhibited vasopressin-induced activation of phosphoinositide-hydrolyzing phospholipase C and phosphatidylcholine-hydrolyzing phospholipase D, but this effect of propofol was significant only at supraclinical concentration (0.1 mM). Propofol reduced vasopressin-induced PGI2 synthesis. The inhibitory effect was observed at concentrations (10 microM-0.1 mM) higher than those used clinically. CONCLUSIONS: Propofol suppresses the arachidonate cascade caused by vasopressin at least partly by inhibiting phosphoinositide-hydrolyzing phospholipase C and phosphatidylcholine-hydrolyzing phospholipase D, resulting in the inhibition of PGI2 synthesis. Propofol-mediated inhibition of vasopressin-stimulated synthesis of PGI2 may reduce the vasorelaxation by propofol.

Anesthetics, Intravenous↗

Spinal antinociceptive action of Na+-K+ pump inhibitor ouabain and its interaction with morphine and lidocaine in rats.

BACKGROUND: The Na+,K+-adenosine triphosphatase is a ubiquitous enzyme system that maintains the ion gradient across the plasma membrane of a variety of cell types, including cells in the central nervous system. We investigated the antinociceptive effect of intrathecally administered ouabain and examined its potential interaction with spinal morphine and lidocaine. METHODS: Using rats chronically implanted with lumbar intrathecal catheters, the ability of intrathecally administered ouabain, morphine, and lidocaine and of mixtures of ouabain-morphine and ouabain-lidocaine to alter tail-flick latency was examined. To characterize any interactions, isobolographic analysis was performed. The effects of pretreatment with intrathecally administered atropine or naloxone also were tested. RESULTS: Intrathecally administered ouabain (0.1-5.0 microg), morphine (0.2-10.0 microg), and lidocaine (25-300 microg) given alone produced significant dose- and time-dependent antinociception, but systemic administration of ouabain did not produce such an effect. The median effective dose (ED50) values for intrathecally administered ouabain, morphine, and lidocaine were 2.3, 5.0, and 227.0 microg, respectively. Isobolographic analysis exhibited a synergistic interaction after the coadministration of ouabain and morphine. With ouabain and lidocaine, there was no such evidence of synergism. Intrathecally administered atropine, but not naloxone, completely blocked the antinociceptive effect of ouabain and attenuated its interaction with spinally administered morphine. CONCLUSIONS: Intrathecally administered ouabain produces antinociception, at least in part, via an enhancement of cholinergic transmission in the spinal nociceptive processing system. The results of the interaction of ouabain with morphine and lidocaine suggest that modulation of Na+-,K+-electrochemical gradients and thus subsequent release of neurotransmitters in the spinal cord are likely to play important roles in the spinal antinociceptive effect of intrathecally administered ouabain.

Analgesics↗

Spinal antinociceptive effect of epidural nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs on nitric oxide-induced hyperalgesia in rats.

BACKGROUND: Nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) suppress various hyperalgesia perhaps via inhibition of cyclooxygenase activity at the spinal cord. The present study aimed to examine whether epidural application of NSAIDs affects hyperalgesia induced by nitric oxide. METHODS: The authors studied the antinociceptive effects of epidurally administered NSAIDs in rats with a chronically in-dwelling epidural catheter by three hyperalgesic models, including nitric oxide-induced hyperalgesia by nitroglycerin (10 microg) or l-arginine (100 microg), and the biphasic response in the formalin test. RESULTS: Epidural, but not systemic, nitroglycerin induced hyperalgesia that was completely blocked by methylene blue but not by N(omega)-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME). Epidural l-arginine, but not d-arginine, also induced hyperalgesia that was completely blocked by L-NAME. Epidural S(+)ibuprofen (100-1,000 microg) suppressed the nitroglycerin- and l-arginine-induced thermal hyperalgesia and also the second phase response in the formalin test. Neither systemic S(+)ibuprofen nor epidural R(-)ibuprofen suppressed the hyperalgesia Epidural indomethacin (10-100 microg) or diclofenac (10-1,000 microg) dose-dependently suppressed nitroglycerin-induced thermal hyperalgesia The order of potency for this suppression (ID50 in microg) was indomethacin = didofenac > S(+)ibuprofen >> R(-)ibuprofen. CONCLUSIONS: The antinociceptive action of epidurally administered NSAIDs could be the result of suppression of spinal sensitization, perhaps induced with nitric oxide in the spinal cord. The ID50 values for epidural indomethacin, diclofenac, and S(+)ibuprofen were about 10 times higher than those reported in other studies for intrathecal NSAIDs in hyperalgesia models. (Key words: Cyclooxygenase inhibitors; NO donor; NO precursor; optical isomers; neuroplasticity.)

Animals↗

Direct effects of alpha1- and alpha2-adrenergic agonists on spinal and cerebral pial vessels in dogs.

BACKGROUND: The effects of adrenergic agonists, often used as local anesthetic additives or spinal analgesics, on spinal vessels have not been firmly established. The authors investigated the effects of alpha2- and alpha1-adrenergic agonists on spinal and cerebral pial vessels in vivo. METHODS: Pentobarbital-anesthetized dogs (n = 28) were prepared for measurement of spinal pial-vessel diameter in a spinal-window preparation. The authors applied dexmedetomidine, clonidine, phenylephrine, or epinephrine in three different concentrations (0.5, 5.0, and 50 microg/ml; [2.1, 1.9, 2.5, and 2.3] x [10(-6), 10(-5), and 10(-4)] M, respectively) under the window (one drug in each dog) and measured spinal pial arteriolar and venular diameters in a sequential manner. To enable the comparison of their effects on cerebral vessels, the authors also administered these drugs under a cranial window. RESULTS: On topical administration, each drug constricted spinal pial arterioles in a concentration-dependent manner. Phenylephrine and epinephrine induced a significantly larger arteriolar constriction than dexmedetomidine or clonidine at 5 microg/ml (8%, 11%, 0%, and 1%, respectively). Spinal pial venules tended to be less constricted than arterioles. In cerebral arterioles, greater constrictions were induced by dexmedetomidine and clonidine than those induced by phenylephrine and epinephrine (14%, 8%, 0%, and 1%, respectively). Cerebral pial venules tended to exhibit larger constrictions than cerebral arterioles (unlike in spinal vessels). CONCLUSION: Dexmedetomidine and clonidine constricted spinal vessels in a concentration-dependent manner, but such vasoconstrictions were smaller than those induced by phenylephrine and epinephrine.

Adrenergic alpha-1 Receptor Agonists↗

Local anesthetics inhibit muscarinic receptor-mediated activation of extracellular signal-regulated kinases in rat pheochromocytoma PC12 cells.

BACKGROUND: Because protein phosphorylation is a key mechanism for controlling cellular functions and extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) plays a role in cellular signal transduction, the authors wanted to determine whether local anesthetics interfere with biochemical signaling molecules. METHODS: Protein tyrosine phosphorylation and ERK activation induced by carbachol, an agonist for muscarinic acetylcholine receptors, were examined in rat pheochromocytoma PC12 cells, a model for investigating signal transduction. Carbachol-induced tyrosine-phosphorylated proteins of 44 and 42 kd were determined by Western blot analysis and identified as activated ERK1 and ERK2 using anti-ERK antibody. The ERK activation was blocked by preincubation with atropine or an M3 muscarinic acetylcholine receptor antagonist 4-diphenyacetooxy-1, 1-dimethylpiperidinium, indicating that is was mediated by M3 muscarinic acetylcholine receptor activation. Then, in the presence of local anesthetic, the carbachol-induced tyrosine phosphorylation and ERK activation were evaluated. The effects of three Na+ current-modifying reagents on carbachol-induced ERK activation were also evaluated. RESULTS: Procaine (10(-4) to 10(-3) M) inhibited carbachol-induced tyrosine phosphorylation and ERK activation in a concentration-dependent manner. Although tetracaine, lidocaine, and bupivacaine similarly suppressed carbachol-induced tyrosine phosphorylation and ERK activation, neither tetrodotoxin, veratridine, nor ouabain affected the carbachol-induced ERKs activation. Both ERKs were also activated by 4beta-phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate, an activator of protein kinase C, and fluoroaluminate (AlF4-), respectively, but procaine did not affect ERK activation induced by these two substances. The inhibition of carbachol-induced ERK activation by procaine was not modified by a phosphatase inhibitor, calyculin A. CONCLUSIONS: The current results indicate that local anesthetics inhibit the activity of the signal-transducing molecule(s) leading to M3 muscarinic acetylcholine receptor-mediated ERK activation in PC12 cells. Such action is unlikely to be a result of the drug's action on Na+ channels or on the electrochemical gradients of the neuronal cell membrane.

Anesthetics, Local↗

[The use of noninvasive positive pressure ventilation in the early postoperative period after cardiovascular surgery].

We used noninvasive positive pressure ventilation (NPPV) in 7 ICU patients after cardiovascular surgery. In 6 patients, we measured the variables of hemodynamics and arterial oxygenation by application of this nasal respiratory support (Companion 320 I/E, Puritan Bennett). Ventilator settings of expiratory positive airway pressure (EPAP) 3 cmH2O and inspiratory positive airway pressure (IPAP) 10 cmH2O were used and continued for 30 minutes. There were no significant changes in any hemodynamic variables during NPPV. Arterial oxygenation also remained unchanged at 30 min after discontinuation of NPPV. To conclude the efficacy of NPPV after cardiovascular surgery, higher level of IPAP and the combination with postural drainage should be studied further.

Aged↗

Clonidine premedication modifies responses to adrenoceptor agonists and baroreflex sensitivity.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the effects of clonidine on responses to adrenoceptor agonists and baroreflex sensitivity, we examined arterial blood pressure (AP) responses to phenylephrine and heart rate (HR) responses to isoproterenol and baroreflex sensitivity (HR response to AP changes due to phenylephrine or nitroglycerin). METHODS: We studied 60 anaesthetized patients who either did or did not receive 5 micrograms.kg-1 clonidine po before they were anaesthetized. After induction of general anaesthesia, the patients received 3 micrograms.kg-1 phenylephrine, 0.02 microgram.kg-1 isoproterenol, or 2-3 micrograms.kg-1 nitroglycerin, and haemodynamic measurements were taken. Baroreflex sensitivity was expressed as the slope of the linear regression line (msec.mmHg-1; in msec of R-R interval change vs mmHg change in systolic arterial pressure) following the administration of phenylephrine and nitroglycerin. RESULTS: Patients who received clonidine had greater augmented responses in AP to phenylephrine and in HR to isoproterenol (47.2 +/- 15.6% vs 23.7 +/- 11.9% for increase in systolic AP and 59.8 +/- 22.6% vs 26.2 +/- 11.0% for increase in HR, P < 0.05 respectively). There were no differences between the baroreflex sensitivities in the pressor (phenylephrine) test groups (3.77 +/- 1.08 vs 4.41 +/- 1.66 msec.mmHg-1). In contrast, the slopes of depressor (nitroglycerin) test groups were decreased in patients receiving clonidine (1.98 +/- 0.73 vs 3.68 +/- 1.72 msec.mmHg-1, P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: The results suggest that premedication with clonidine might enhance critical hypotension during anaesthesia and surgery, but restoration both of AP and HR decrease can be achieved effectively by phenylephrine and isoproterenol i.v., respectively.

Adrenergic alpha-Agonists↗