ANTINOCICEPTIVE EFFECT OF SPINAL AND SYSTEMIC PHYSOSTIGMINE: EARLY VERSUS LATE POSTOPERATIVE PERIOD

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DOI: https://doi.org/None
Issue: 
2
Year: 
2017

Alexander Nemirovsky, MD, PhD Department of Anesthesiology, University of Southern California, 1200 N. State St., Ste. 14-901, Los Angeles, CA 90033 USA

igmine during the acute and late phases of postoperative period in rats. We also evaluated the effect of the surgery on the antinociception induced by a systemic physostigmine, since this effect is partially realized via the spinal antinociceptive mechanisms, and subsequently may be under the influence of a spinal cholinergic tone. Material and methods. Under general a small incision was made in the atlanto-occipital membrane. A PE 10 catheter was introduced to a length of 10 cm caudal with its internal tip located at the level of the lumbar enlargement. The second catheter was inserted into the jugular vein. The catheter was then directed under the skin towards the dorsal surface of the neck. Both catheters were secured to the muscles at the back of the neck, the muscles and the skin were sutured and anesthesia was discontinued. Within one hour after the completion of the surgery animals were completely recovered. Nociception was evaluated in the «plantar stimulation» test. Changes in nociception were determined by the changes in response latencies to noxious stimulation of the hind paw. In order to minimize tissue injury, a cut-off time of 15 sec was imposed. Results. Intravenous administration of physostigmine 1—4 hours after the surgery in the doses of 50 or 100 µg/kg resulted in a dose-dependent increase in the response latencies. Statistical analysis also demonstrated that the effect of 100 µg/kg of IV physostigmine was significantly more pronounced during the early postoperative period if compared to the effect of the same dose injected 3—5 days after the surgery. Conclusion. The results of the present and previous similar studies are of a significant clinical value since immediate postoperative pain might be an indication for the future use of cholinesterase inhibitors as analgesic agents.
Keywords: 
nociception
physostigmine
spinal cord
analgesia
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