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Barbiturates inhibit stress-induced analgesia

Canadian Journal of Anaesthesia volume 34, pages 146–151 (1987)Cite this article

Abstract

The effect of pentobarbitone and thiopentone on stress-induced analgesia was studied in 40 male Sprague-Dawley rats. Antinociception was determined by measuring motor reaction threshold to the noxious pressure on the tail with the use of an “Analgesymeter.” Stress was induced by placement of a clamp on the hind paw. The stress procedure was found to cause an increase in reaction threshold, which was partially suppressed by naloxone 0.5 mg-kg~’. Pentobarbitone in a subanaesthetic dose of 25 mg-kg~’, SC, almost completely abolished the stress-induced increase in the reaction threshold (an increase in reaction threshold from 329 ± 33 g to 486 ±62 g in control group, and from 250 ± 26g to 273 ± 35 g in pentobarbitone group, p < 0.02 for the difference in the threshold changes). Thiopentone used in a dose of 25 mg·kg-1, IV, caused a loss of the righting reflex for 37 ± 10 minutes; stress procedure applied ten minutes after regaining the righting reflex did not cause any increase in the reaction threshold (with an increase in the reaction threshold in control group from 355 ± 50 g to 540 ±26 g, p < 0.001 for the difference between the groups). The results suggest that the barbiturates in subanaesthetic doses inhibit stress-induced analgesia. Thiopentone used in an anaesthetic dose has the potential for inhibition of stress-induced analgesia in the period of recovery from anaesthesia.

Résumé

Ľeffet du pentobarbitone et thiopentone sur ľanalgésie induite par le stress est étudié chez 40 rats Sprague-Dawley. Ľantinociception fut déterminée par la mesure du seuil de la réaction motrice suite à une pression nocive appliquée sur la queue utilisant un “Analgesy-meter”. Le stress était induit en plaçant une pince sur la patte arrière. La man œuvre stressante occasionna une augmentation du seuil de réaction qui était partiellement supprimée par le naloxone 0.5 mg·kg-1 . Le pentobarbitone administré à des doses inférieures aux doses anesthésiantes (25mg·kg-1) en sous cutané a presque complètement aboli ľaugmentation du seuil de réaction suite au stress (ľaugmentation du seuil de réaction était de 329 ± 33 g à 486 ± 62 g pour le groupe contrôle, et de 250 ±26 g à 273 ± 35 g pour le groupe pentobarbitone, p < 0.02 quant à la différence des variations du seuil). Le thiopentone utilisé à des doses de 25mg·kg-1 par voie intraveineuse a provoqué une perte du “righting reflex” pour 37 ± 10 minutes. La man œuvre stressante appliquée dix minutes après le regain du “righting reflex” n’a pas provoqué une augmentation du seuil de réaction (ľaugmentation du seuil de réaction dans le groupe contrôle était de 355 ± 50g à 540 ± 26 g, p <0.001 concernant la différence entre les groupes). Ces résultats suggèrent que les barbituriques à des doses inférieures aux doses anesthésiantes inhibent ľanalgésie induite par le stress. Le thiopentone utilisé à des doses anesthésiques a le potentiel d’inhiber ľanalgésie induite par le stress en période de réveil de ľanesthésie.

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Affiliations

  1. Department of Anesthesiology, University of Alabama at Birmingham School of Medicine, 35294, Birmingham, Alabama

    Igor Kissin, John O. Mason, H. Ronald Vinik, Judy McDanal & Edwin L. Bradley

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  1. Igor Kissin
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  2. John O. Mason
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  3. H. Ronald Vinik
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  4. Judy McDanal
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  5. Edwin L. Bradley
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Kissin, I., Mason, J.O., Vinik, H.R. et al. Barbiturates inhibit stress-induced analgesia. Can J Anesth 34, 146–151 (1987). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF03015332

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Key words

  • hypnotics
  • barbiturates
  • pentobarbitone
  • thiopentone
  • antagonists
  • narcotic
  • naloxone
  • pain
  • stressinduced analgesia