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Convulsive thresholds in mice during the recovery phase from anaesthesia induced by propofol, thiopentone, methohexitone and etomidate
Author(s) -
Lowson S.,
Gent J.P.,
Goodchild C.S.
Publication year - 1991
Publication title -
british journal of pharmacology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.432
H-Index - 211
eISSN - 1476-5381
pISSN - 0007-1188
DOI - 10.1111/j.1476-5381.1991.tb12270.x
Subject(s) - etomidate , pentylenetetrazol , propofol , anesthesia , methohexital , anticonvulsant , inverse agonist , medicine , convulsant , hypnotic , benzodiazepine , diazepam , pharmacology , seizure threshold , agonist , epilepsy , receptor , psychiatry
1 Convulsive thresholds were measured with intravenous pentylenetetrazol in mice during the recovery phase after intravenous anaesthetic doses of propofol (10 and 20 mg kg −1 ), thiopentone (30 mg kg −1 ), methohexitone (10 mg kg −1 ), and etomidate 3 mg kg −1 ). 2 The convulsive threshold rose after each agent, indicating an anticonvulsant action for all the drugs tested; this declined to control values with initial half times of: 1.56 min (propofol 10 mg kg −1 ); 1.03 min (propofol 20 mg kg −1 ): 1.02 min (methohexitone); 3.35 min (etomidate); 13.7 min (thiopentone). 3 At no time during the recovery phase of any agent did the convulsive threshold fall below control values, which might indicate an epileptogenic effect of the drug. 4 The threshold was depressed below control values by intravenous administration of Ro 15–4513, a partial inverse agonist at the benzodiazepine receptor, thus indicating the ability of this pentylenetetrazol test to demonstrate a proconvulsant effect. 5 We conclude that the abnormal movements or convulsions associated with recovery from anaesthesia with short‐acting intravenous anaesthetics may not be the result of an intrinsic proconvulsant action of the drugs.