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Intrathecal propofol has analgesic effects on inflammation-induced pain in rats

Le propofol intrathécal a des effets analgésiques sur la douleur induite par l’inflammation chez les rats

  • Regional Anesthesia and Pain
  • Published:
Canadian Journal of Anesthesia Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Purpose

Propofol is thought to act on γ-aminobutyric acid receptors, which have some role in pain transmission in the spinal cord. In this study, we examined the effects of intrathecal propofol on acute thermallyor inflammation-induced pain in rats.

Methods

Lumbar intrathecal catheters were implanted in Male Sprague-Dawley rats. The tail withdrawal response to thermal stimulation (tail flick test) or paw flinching and shaking response bysc formalin injection into the hind paw (formalin test) were tested. Propofol 1000, 300 or 100μg or saline (control) was administered as 10 μL intrathecally. Motor disturbance and behavioural side effects were also monitored in the rats during the tail flick test. Eight rats were used for each dose in each test.

Results

No analgesic effects were observed in the tail flick test. In the formalin test, 50% of effective doses were 449 μg (95% confidence interval, 80–3180 μg) in phase 1 and 275 μg (146–519 μg) in phase 2. Motor disturbance was observed in one rat with 100μg and agitation and allodynia were seen in one rat with 300μg. However, both were reversible in 120 min.

Conclusions

Intrathecal administration of propofol had analgesic effects on inflammation-induced acute and facilitated pain but not on thermally-induced acute pain. Transient motor and sensory disturbance could not rule out the possibility of neurotoxicity.

Résumé

Objectif

On croit que le propofol agit sur les récepteurs de l’acide γaminobutyrique, lesquels jouent un certain rôle dans la transmission de la douleur dans la moelle épinière. Nous avons vérifié les effets du propofol intrathécal sur la douleur aiguë induite par la chaleur ou l’inflammation chez les rats.

Méthode

Des cathéters lombaires intrathécaux ont été implantés chez des rats mâles Sprague-Dawley. La réaction à la stimulation thermale par le retrait de la queue (test de latence de rétraction de la queue) ou le tressaillement de la patte et les secousses provoquées par l’injection sc de formol dans la patte arrière (test au formol) ont été analysés. Des doses intrathécales de 1 000, 300 ou 100 μg de propofol ou une solution saline (témoin) ont été administrées en 10 μL. Les troubles moteurs et les effets secondaires comportementaux ont aussi été enregistrés pendant le test de latence de rétraction de la queue. Huit rats ont été utilisés pour chaque dose de chaque test.

Résultats

Aucun effet analgésique n’a été observé pendant le test de latence de rétraction de la queue. Lors du test au formol, 50 % des doses efficaces ont été de 449 μg (intervalle de confiance de 95 %, 80– 3180 μg) pendant la phase 1 et de 275 μg (146– 519 μg) pendant la phase 2. Des troubles moteurs ont été observés chez un rat avec 100 μg et de l’agitation et de l’allodynie chez un rat avec 300 μg. Cependant, les deux réactions se sont renversées en 120 min.

Conclusion

L’administration intrathécale de propofol a des effets analgésiques sur la douleur aiguë induite et facilitée par l’inflammation, mais non sur la douleur aiguë induite par la chaleur. La présence de troubles moteurs et sensitifs transitoires n’exclut pas la possibilité de neurotoxicité.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Anesthesiology, The University of Tokyo, Faculty of Medicine, Tokyo, Yamanashi, Japan

    Tomoki Nishiyama & Kazuo Hanaoka

  2. Department of Anesthesiology, Yamanashi University, Medical School, Yamanashi, Japan

    Takashi Matsukawa

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  1. Tomoki Nishiyama
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  2. Takashi Matsukawa
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  3. Kazuo Hanaoka
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Correspondence to Tomoki Nishiyama.

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Nishiyama, T., Matsukawa, T. & Hanaoka, K. Intrathecal propofol has analgesic effects on inflammation-induced pain in rats. Can J Anesth 51, 899–904 (2004). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF03018887

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF03018887

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