The Open Pharmacology Journal

2011, 5 : 1-4
Published online 2011 November 23. DOI: 10.2174/1874143601105010001
Publisher ID: TOPHARMJ-5-1

Attenuation of Drug-Induced Loss of Righting Reflex Response by Pretreatment with a Nitric Oxide Donor

Yuhua (Al) Wang , Raymond M. Quock and Robert D. Keegan
Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, Washington State University, P.O. Box 646610, Pullman, WA 99164-6610, USA;

ABSTRACT

Background/Aims: The role of nitric oxide (NO) in general anesthetic drug action is controversial. The present study was carried out to determine the role of NO in the loss of righting reflex induced by injectable sedative and anesthetic drugs.

Methods: Under isoflurane anesthesia, male NIH Swiss mice received an intracerebroventricular microinjection of the NOdonor 3-morpholinosydnoimine (SIN-1) 30 min prior to an i.p. injection of chloral hydrate, sodium barbital, midazolam or ketamine/xylazine. Mice were monitored for onset and duration of loss of righting reflex (LORR).

Results: Pretreatment with SIN-1 reduced the mean duration of LORR induced by chloral hydrate, sodium barbital and midazolam but not ketamine/xylazine. Pretreatment with SIN-1 had no effect on the mean latency to LORR.

Conclusion: It is concluded that there may be a differential involvement of NO in the LORR response, depending upon whether the primary drug action is through GABAA or NMDA receptors.

Keywords:

Nitric oxide, loss of righting reflex, chloral hydrate, sodium barbital, midazolam, ketamine/xylazine, mice.