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Effects of chronic stress on nitrous oxide (N 2 O)‐induced antinociceptive and anxiolytic effects in mice
Author(s) -
Emmanouil Dimitris,
Yeon Jiwoong,
Quock Raymond M.
Publication year - 2012
Publication title -
the faseb journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.709
H-Index - 277
eISSN - 1530-6860
pISSN - 0892-6638
DOI - 10.1096/fasebj.26.1_supplement.662.6
Subject(s) - nociception , anxiolytic , sedation , nitrous oxide , hot plate test , anesthesia , chronic stress , pharmacology , dose dependence , chronic pain , medicine , chemistry , endocrinology , physical therapy , receptor
Subanesthetic concentrations of N 2 O are routinely used in clinical dentistry to produce conscious sedation. The aim of this study was to assess the influence of chronic stress on the antinociceptive and anxiolytic effects of N 2 O. To induce chronic stress, male NIH Swiss mice (20–25 g) were subjected to a modified forced‐swim test four times over 48 min. Thirty min later, they were exposed to 30%, 50% or 70% N 2 O in O 2 , and antinociceptive or anxiolytic responsiveness was assessed using the hot plate test or the light/dark exploration box. Non‐stressed control mice responded to N 2 O with a dose‐dependent antinociceptive effect, but chronically‐stressed, N 2 O‐exposed mice showed a marked hyperalgesic response. Exposure of non‐stressed control mice to N 2 O increased both the time spent in the light compartment and the number of intercompartmental transitions in a generally dose‐dependent manner. Chronic stress did not influence either parameter, but chronically‐stressed, N 2 O‐exposed mice showed increases in the number of transitions but not in time spent in the light compartment. These findings may be of clinical significance in the use of N 2 O in patients with chronic stress. Further investigation in the influence of stress on the antinociceptive and anxiolytic actions of N 2 O is warranted. (Supported in part by NIH Grant GM‐77153 and the Allen I. White Distinguished Professorship.)