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BMC Anesthesiology

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Open Access 01-12-2013 | Research article

Comparing the effects of isoflurane and pentobarbital on the responses of cutaneous mechanoreceptive afferents

Authors: Ju-Wen Cheng, Alison I Weber, Sliman J Bensmaia

Published in: BMC Anesthesiology | Issue 1/2013

Abstract

Background

While pentobarbital has been used extensively in neurophysiological experiments investigating activity in peripheral nerves, it has fallen out of favor as an anesthetic because of safety concerns and is often replaced with isoflurane. However, the effects of isoflurane on the excitability of mechanoreceptive afferents have yet to be conclusively elucidated.

Methods

To fill this gap, we collected extracellular single-unit recordings of cutaneous mechanoreceptive afferents from the sciatic nerve of 21 rats during vibratory stimulation of the hindpaw. We then compared the strength and temporal structure of the afferent response measured under pentobarbital and isoflurane anesthesia.

Results

We found that the strength and temporal structure of afferent responses were statistically equivalent whether these were evoked under isoflurane or pentobarbital.

Conclusions

We conclude that, if these two anesthetics have any effect on the responses of mechanoreceptive afferents, their effects are indistinguishable.

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The pre-publication history for this paper can be accessed here:http://www.biomedcentral.com/1471-2253/13/10/prepub

Title: Comparing the effects of isoflurane and pentobarbital on the responses of cutaneous mechanoreceptive afferents
Authors: Ju-Wen Cheng
Alison I Weber
Sliman J Bensmaia
Publication date: 01-12-2013
Publisher: BioMed Central
Published in: BMC Anesthesiology / Issue 1/2013
Electronic ISSN: 1471-2253
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1186/1471-2253-13-10

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Comparing the effects of isoflurane and pentobarbital on the responses of cutaneous mechanoreceptive afferents

Abstract

Background

Methods

Results

Conclusions

Keynote webinar | Spotlight on medication adherence

Springer Medicine

Abstract

Background

Methods

Results

Conclusions

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