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The N-Methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor antagonist dizocilpine (MK-801) suppresses enfturane-induced opisthotonus in mice

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Abstract

We determined whether enflurane-induced opisthotonus in ddN mice is mediated by N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor using NMDA receptor antagonists dizocilpine (MK-801) and ketamine. Animals were given intraperitoneal injections of 0.2 ml saline (control), 2.5 or 5.0 mgkg−1 dizocilpine in saline, or 20 or 40 mgkg−1 ketamine in saline 20 min prior to exposure to 2.0% enflurane. Incidence of opisthotonus measured during exposure to enflurane for 20 min was 49% (n=51) in saline (control) group, 6.7 (P < 0.01 vs control, n=30) and 15.0% (P < 0.01, n=40) in 2.5 and 5.0 mgkg−1 dizocilpine group, respectively, and 43.9 (NS, n=41) and 40.0% (NS, n=40) in 20 and 40 mgkg−1 ketamine group, respectively. These results strongly suggest that enflurane-induced opisthotonus is mediated by NMDA receptor. Ketamine failed to suppress significantly due to possibly small dosages. Further, dizocilpine itself produced severe seizures during preenflurane period (30.0 and 40.0% in 2.5 and 5.0 mgkg−1 , respectively), which may be a novel finding.

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Komatsu, H., Nogaya, J., Anabuki, D. et al. The N-Methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor antagonist dizocilpine (MK-801) suppresses enfturane-induced opisthotonus in mice. J Anesth 7, 520–523 (1993). https://doi.org/10.1007/s0054030070520

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s0054030070520

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