Comparison of isoflurane and α-chloralose in an anesthetized swine model of acute pulmonary embolism producing right ventricular dysfunction

Pulmonary embolism (PE) is a leading cause of sudden cardiac death, and a model is needed for testing potential treatments. In developing a model, we compared the hemodynamic effects of isoflurane and α-chloralose in an acute swine model of PE because the choice of anesthesia will likely affect the cardiovascular responses of an animal to PE. At baseline, swine that received α-chloralose (n = 6) had a lower heart rate and cardiac output and higher SpO2, end-tidal CO2, and mean arterial pressure than did those given isoflurane (n = 9). After PE induction, swine given α-chloralose compared with isoflurane exhibited a lower heart rate (63 ± 10 compared with 116 ± 15 bpm) and peripheral arterial pressure (52 ± 12 compared with 61 ± 12 mm Hg); higher SpO2 (98% ± 3% compared with 95% ± 1%), end-tidal CO2 (35 ± 4 compared with 32 ± 5), and systolic blood pressure (121 ± 8 compared with 104 ± 20 mm Hg); and equivalent right ventricular:left ventricular ratios (1.32 ± 0.50 compared with 1.23 ± 0.19) and troponin I mean values (0.09 ± 0.07 ng/mL compared with 0.09 ± 0.06 ng/mL). Isoflurane was associated with widely variable fibrinogen and activated partial thromboplastin time. Intraexperiment mortality was 0 of 6 animals for α-chloralose and 2 of 9 swine for isoflurane. All swine anesthetized with α-chloralose survived with sustained pulmonary hypertension, RV-dilation-associated cardiac injury without the confounding vasodilatory or coagulatory effects of isoflurane. These data demonstrate the physiologic advantages of α-chloralose over isoflurane for anesthesia in a swine model of severe submassive PE.

Stability of the acetic acid-induced bladder irritation model in alpha chloralose-anesthetized female cats

Time- and vehicle-related variability of bladder and urethral rhabdosphincter (URS) activity as well as cardiorespiratory and blood chemistry values were examined in the acetic acid-induced bladder irritation model in α-chloralose-anesthetized female cats. Additionally, bladder and urethra were evaluated histologically using Mason trichrome and toluidine blue staining. Urodynamic, cardiovascular and respiratory parameters were collected during intravesical saline infusion followed by acetic acid (0.5%) to irritate the bladder. One hour after starting acetic acid infusion, a protocol consisting of a cystometrogram, continuous infusion-induced rhythmic voiding contractions, and a 5 min "quiet period" (bladder emptied without infusion) was precisely repeated every 30 minutes. Administration of vehicle (saline i.v.) occurred 15 minutes after starting each of the first 7 cystometrograms and duloxetine (1mg/kg i.v.) after the 8(th). Acetic acid infusion into the bladder increased URS-EMG activity, bladder contraction frequency, and decreased contraction amplitude and capacity, compared to saline. Bladder activity and URS activity stabilized within 1 and 2 hours, respectively. Duloxetine administration significantly decreased bladder contraction frequency and increased URS-EMG activity to levels similar to previous reports. Cardiorespiratory parameters and blood gas levels remained consistent throughout the experiment. The epithelium of the bladder and urethra were greatly damaged and edema and infiltration of neutrophils in the lamina propria of urethra were observed. These data provide an ample evaluation of the health of the animals, stability of voiding function and appropriateness of the model for testing drugs designed to evaluate lower urinary tract as well as cardiovascular and respiratory systems function.

Cocaine-induced Fos expression is detectable in the frontal cortex and striatum of rats under isoflurane but not alpha-chloralose anesthesia: implications for FMRI

The ability of intravenous cocaine to induce Fos protein expression in anesthetized rats was tested. Two anesthetic regimens commonly used for in vivo FMRI of animals, i.v. alpha-chloralose and gaseous isoflurane, were studied in separate cohorts. The first experiment included three groups that received the following treatments: saline i.v. and no anesthetic; 2 mg/kg cocaine i.v. and no anesthetic; and 2mg/kg cocaine i.v. under 36 mg/kg/h alpha-chloralose anesthesia. The second experiment had a factorial design of four groups that were either nonanesthetized or isoflurane-treated and were either given saline or cocaine (2 mg/kg, i.v.). Anesthetized rats were maintained for 2 h under 2.5-3.5% isoflurane anesthesia, while nonanesthetized rats were kept in an alternative environment for the same time period. Rats were given 2 mg/kg cocaine or saline i.v., 30 min into the test session. Rats were perfused and their brains were processed for Fos immunohistochemistry 90 min after the i.v. treatment. In both experiments, the frontal cortex and striatum of the cocaine-treated nonanesthetized rats expressed Fos in greater amounts than the saline-treated nonanesthetized rats, as expected. The alpha-chloralose treatment prevented cocaine-induced Fos expression across all eight subregions of the striatum and frontal cortex that were examined. In contrast, isoflurane only partially attenuated Fos expression in the orbital and Cg2 subregions of frontal cortex. These results suggest a strong advantage for using isoflurane, as opposed to alpha-chloralose, when studying anesthetized rats for in vivo effects of psychostimulants.

Isoflurane anesthesia is a valuable alternative for alpha-chloralose anesthesia in the forepaw stimulation model in rats

Isoflurane (ISO) can be a valuable alternative for alpha-chloralose (ACL) anesthesia in functional MRI (fMRI) studies. Therefore, we compared the efficacy of the blood oxygen level dependent (BOLD) effect in fMRI studies during ISO and ACL anesthesia sequentially in the same animals. After non-invasive instrumentation for ventilation and monitoring, series of T2* weighted MR images were acquired during forepaw stimulation, first under ISO, then followed by ACL anesthesia. The results demonstrated that ISO and ACL were both suitable to perform this fMRI experiment. The center of activation was at the same stereotactic position for both anesthetics and matched the primary somatosensory cortex (S1). Under the applied conditions, the BOLD response during ISO anesthesia declined in magnitude during the first stimulation period, as compared to ACL. From this study, we conclude that since ISO has several positive properties in comparison to ACL, including fast pharmacokinetics and suitability for repeated measurements, it is a valuable alternative for anesthesia in fMRI studies of rats.

The impact of anesthetics and hyperoxia on cortical spreading depression

Cortical spreading depression (CSD), a transient neuronal and glial depolarization that propagates slowly across the cerebral cortex, is the putative electrophysiological event underlying migraine aura. It negatively impacts tissue injury during stroke, cerebral contusion and intracranial hemorrhage. Susceptibility to CSD has been assessed in several experimental animal models in vivo, such as after topical KCl application or cathodal stimulation. Various combinations of anesthetics and ambient conditions have been used by different laboratories making comparisons problematic and differences in data difficult to reconcile. We systematically studied CSD susceptibility comparing commonly used experimental anesthetics (isoflurane, alpha-chloralose, and urethane) with or without N(2)O or normobaric hyperoxia (100% O(2) inhalation). The frequency of evoked CSDs, and their propagation speed, duration, and amplitude were recorded during 2 h topical KCl (1 M) application. We found that N(2)O reduced CSD frequency when combined with isoflurane or urethane, but not alpha-chloralose; N(2)O also decreased CSD propagation speed and duration. Urethane anesthesia was associated with the highest CSD frequency that was comparable to pentobarbital. Inhalation of 100% O(2) did not alter CSD frequency, propagation speed or duration in combination with any of the anesthetics tested. Our data show anesthetic modulation of CSD susceptibility in an experimental model of human disease, underscoring the importance of proper study design for hypothesis testing as well as for comparing results between studies.

Effects of NMDA receptor antagonists on visceromotor reflexes and on intestinal motility, in vivo

Antagonists of NMDA receptors can inhibit both the transmission of pain signals from the intestine and enteric reflexes. However, it is unknown whether doses of the NMDA antagonist, ketamine, that are used in anaesthetic mixtures suppress motility reflexes and visceromotor responses (VMRs). In fact, whether intestinal motility is affected by NMDA receptor blockers in vivo has been little investigated. We studied the effects of ketamine and memantine, administered intravenously or intrathecally. Rats were maintained under alpha-chloralose plus xylazine or pentobarbitone anaesthesia; VMR and jejunal motility were measured. Under alpha-chloralose/xylazine anaesthesia, i.v. ketamine inhibited VMRs at 6 mg kg h(-1), but not at 3 mg kg h(-1). It did not inhibit propulsive reflexes in the jejunum at 10 mg kg h(-1), but reduced them by 30% at 20 mg kg h(-1). Under alpha-chloralose/pentobarbitone anaesthesia, i.v. ketamine reduced propulsive reflexes at 40 mg kg h(-1) and VMR at 10 mg kg h(-1). Memantine inhibited VMRs at 20 mg kg h(-1) and propulsion at 2 mg kg h(-1). Ketamine and memantine, intrathecally, prevented VMRs, but not jejunal propulsion. We conclude that peripherally administered ketamine reduces both VMR and motility reflexes, but not at doses used in anaesthetic mixes (1.8-2.4 mg kg h(-1)). Effects on motility reflexes are likely to be due to non-NMDA receptor actions, possibly on nicotinic receptors.

Functional MRI of the cervical spinal cord during noxious and innocuous thermal stimulation in the alpha-chloralose- and halothane-anesthetized rat

Patterns of neuronal activity in the spinal cord using functional magnetic resonance imaging during noxious (48 degrees C) and innocuous (40 degrees C) thermal stimulation of the rat forepaw were examined. The patterns of functional activity elicited by thermal stimuli were compared in alpha-chloralose- and halothane-anesthetized rats. Although the locations of active pixels were similar during both types of stimulation, the mean percentage signal change was higher during noxious stimulation in both anesthetic groups. Ipsilateral dorsal horn activity was evident during both noxious and innocuous stimulation in all animals. The greatest consistency of ipsilateral dorsal horn activity occurred at the C3 to C5 spinal cord segments in all groups. Consistent contralateral dorsal horn activity appeared in segments C6 to C8 in all groups. C-fos immunohistochemical staining confirmed the presence of neural activity in the spinal cords of all animals.

Comparison of functional activity in the rat cervical spinal cord during alpha-chloralose and halothane anesthesia

Alpha-chloralose is commonly used during animal fMRI studies for anesthesia, however, recovery of animals is difficult, limiting experimental design. The use of a less invasive anesthetic would enable chronic experiments. The present study compares functional activity in the spinal cord of the alpha-chloralose and halothane-anesthetized rat. Functional MRI of the rat cervical spinal cord was performed on 6 alpha-chloralose and 6 halothane-anesthetized rats in a Bruker 7 T MR system during electrical stimulation of the right forepaw. Following imaging, four animals from each group were perfused and spinal cords removed for immunohistochemical analysis. Areas of c-fos expression were identified with immunofluorescent labeling to confirm the presence of neuronal activity. Functional activity and c-fos expression were observed predominantly between the fifth and seventh cervical spinal cord segments. Areas of fMRI activation in the spinal cord correspond well with spinal cord physiology. Areas of c-fos expression confirmed that neuronal activity was present in the regions of fMRI activity. The regions and amount of fMRI activity observed were similar for both anesthetics. Functional magnetic resonance imaging of the spinal cord can be achieved using both alpha-chloralose and halothane anesthesia in rats. We therefore suggest that halothane may be used as an anesthetic agent for chronic fMRI studies of the spinal cord.

Negative chronotropic effect of cannabinoids and their water-soluble emulsion is related to activation of cardiac CB1 receptors

Intravenous injection of cannabinoids dissolved in cremophore EL:ethanol:NaCl mixture and water-soluble emulsion of the same cannabinoids caused identical negative chronotropic effects in chloralose-narcotized rats. Selective CB1 and CB2 receptor antagonist HU-210 also induced a negative chronotropic effect in rats, while pre-injection of CB1 receptor antagonist SR 141716A completely abolished this effect of HU-210. Selective CB2 receptor antagonist SR 144528 had no effect on HU-210-induced bradycardia. Preinjection of ganglioblocker hexamethonium also did not abolish the negative chronotropic effect of HU-210 and ACPA. Perfusion of isolated rat heart with Krebs-Henseleit solution containing HU-210 in a final concentration of 100 nM reduced heart rate. It was shown that the negative chronotropic effect of cannabinoids is mediated through activation of cardiac CB1 receptors.

Effects of pulse lung inflation on chest wall expiratory motor activity

The effects of pulse lung inflation (LI) on expiratory muscle activity and phase duration (Te) were determined in anesthetized, spontaneously breathing dogs (n = 20). A volume syringe was used to inflate the lungs at various times during the expiratory phase. The magnitude of lung volume was assessed by the corresponding change in airway pressure (Paw; range 2-20 cmH(2)O). Electromyographic (EMG) activities were recorded from both thoracic and abdominal muscles. Parasternal muscle EMG was used to record inspiratory activity. Expiratory activity was assessed from the triangularis sterni (TS), internal intercostal (IIC), and transversus abdominis (TA) muscles. Lung inflations <7 cmH(2)O consistently inhibited TS activity but had variable effects on TA and IIC activity and expiratory duration. Lung inflations resulting in Paw values >7 cmH(2)O, however, inhibited expiratory EMG activity of each of the expiratory muscles and lengthened Te in all animals. The responses of expiratory EMG and Te were directly related to the magnitude of the lung inflation. The inhibition of expiratory motor activity was independent of the timing of pulse lung inflation during the expiratory phase. The inhibitory effects of lung inflation were eliminated by bilateral vagotomy and could be reproduced by electrical stimulation of the vagus nerve. We conclude that pulse lung inflation resulting in Paw between 7 and 20 cmH(2)O produces a vagally mediated inhibition of expiratory muscle activity that is directly related to the magnitude of the inflation. Lower inflation pressures produce variable effects that are muscle specific.

Comparison of urethane/chloralose and pentobarbitone anaesthesia for examining effects of bacterial lipopolysaccharide in mice

Although anaesthetics are widely used to alleviate stress in endotoxaemic animals, these drugs themselves may interfere with the effects of lipopolysaccharide (LPS). The effects of LPS on serum glucose, biochemical markers of hepatic, renal and pancreatic exocrine function, and lung myeloperoxidase (MPO) activity were compared using anaesthesia with either urethane/chloralose or pentobarbitone. Groups of 10-13 of C57B1/6 mice (22.3 +/- 0.18 g) were treated with 40 mg/kg LPS or the same volume of saline (10 mL/kg, i.p.) at time 0, Animals were anaesthetized either with urethane (1000 mg/kg) and chloralose (50 mg/kg) or with pentobarbitone (90 mg/kg, i.p.) after 2 h and blood and lung samples obtained after 6 h. In pentobarbitone-anaesthetized mice, LPS caused hypoglycaemia and increased serum levels of alanine aminotransferase (ALT), lipase and creatinine suggesting damage/dysfunction of liver, exocrine pancreas and kidney respectively. Lung tissue MPO activity, an indicator of neutrophil infiltration, was also increased. Urethane/chloralose-treated mice demonstrated hypoglycaemia and enhanced serum levels of ALT and creatinine in response to LPS, but failed to show LPS-induced increases in serum lipase and lung MPO activity. It is concluded that while pentobarbitone may be successfully used in experimental models of endotoxaemia in mice, anaesthesia with urethane and chloralose may protect mice against LPS-mediated damage/dysfunction in the exocrine pancreas and in the lung, and therefore, is not recommended in studies on endotoxaemic mice.

Increased oxygen consumption in the somatosensory cortex of alpha-chloralose anesthetized rats during forepaw stimulation determined using MRS at 11.7 Tesla

The significance of changes in cerebral oxygen consumption in focally activated brain tissue is still controversial. Since the rate of cerebral oxygen consumption is tightly coupled to that of tricarboxylic acid cycle which can be measured from the turnover kinetics of [4-(13)C]glutamate using in vivo (1)H{(13)C} magnetic resonance spectroscopy, changes in tricarboxylic acid cycle flux rate were assessed in primary somatosensory cortex of alpha-chloralose anesthetized rats during electrical forepaw stimulation. With markedly improved (1)H{(13)C} magnetic resonance spectroscopy technique and the use of high magnetic field strength of 11.7 T accessible to the current study, [4-(13)C]glutamate at 2.35 ppm was spectrally resolved from overlapping resonances of [4-(13)C]glutamine at 2.46 ppm and [2-(13)C]GABA at 2.28 ppm as well as the more distal [3-(13)C]glutamate and [3-(13)C]glutamine. The results showed a significantly increased V(TCA) in focally activated primary somatosensory cortex during forepaw stimulation, corresponding to approximately 51 +/- 27% (n = 6, mean +/- SD) increase in cerebral oxygen consumption rate. Considering the high efficiency in producing adenosine triphosphate by oxidative metabolism of glucose, the results demonstrate that aerobic oxidative metabolism provides the majority of energy required for cerebral focal activation in alpha-chloralose anesthetized rats subjected to forepaw stimulation.

Inverse-Orthostasis May Induce Elevation of Blood Pressure due to Sympathetic Activation

Microgravity and simulated microgravity may cause cardiovascular deconditioning, but mechanisms of instantaneous responses to inverse-orthostasis are not studied. Hence, we investigated transient and steady state cardiovascular changes by combining the tilt technique with cardiovascular telemetry. Normotensive and NO-deprived hypertensive Wistar rats were used to analyze responses of mean arterial blood pressure, heart rate, contractility, spontaneous baroreflex sensitivity (sBRS), and autonomic balance. Inverse-orthostasis tests were carried out by 45 degrees head-down tilting (repeated 3 x 5 mins "R", or sustained for 120 mins "S"). In normotensive rats, horizontal control blood pressure was R111.3 +/- 1.7/S110.4 +/- 2.3 mm Hg and heart rate was R385.2 +/- 5.9/S371.1 +/- 6.1 BPM. Head-down tilt induced an increase in blood pressure by R5.9/S10.6 mm Hg, while heart rate, contractility, sBRS, and autonomic balance did not change. The hypertensive response was sustained, could be prevented by prazosin (10 mg/kgbw), and augmented by subanesthetic doses of chloralose (26 and 43 mg/kgbw). In NO-suppressed hypertension, control blood pressure and heart rate were R132.4 +/- 2.9/S130.0 +/- 4.1 mm Hg and R339.2 +/- 7.9/S307.2 +/- 23.6 BPM, respectively. Head-down tilt further increased blood pressure by R5.1/S10.5 mm Hg. These data demonstrate that conscious rats respond to inverse-orthostasis by sustained elevation of blood pressure independent of NO synthesis. This response is neither due to increased contractility and altered sBRS, nor due to non-specific stress, but probably due to sympathetic activation elicited by gravity-related reflexes, which increase peripheral resistance.

A multiparametric assessment of oxygen efflux from the brain

A quantitative understanding of unidirectional versus net extraction of oxygen in the brain is required because an important factor in calculating oxidative metabolism by calibrated functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) as well as oxygen inhalation methods of positron emission tomography (15O2-PET) and nuclear magnetic resonance (17O2-NMR)) is the degree of oxygen efflux from the brain back into the blood. Because mechanisms of oxygen transport from blood to brain are dependent on cerebral metabolic rate of oxygen consumption (CMRO2), cerebral blood flow (CBF), and oxygen partial pressure (pO2) values in intravascular (Piv) and extravascular (Pev) compartments, we implemented multimodal measurements of these parameters into a compartmental model of oxygen transport and metabolism (i.e., hemoglobin-bound oxygen, oxygen dissolved in plasma and tissue spaces, oxygen metabolized in the mitochondria). In the alpha-chloralose anesthetized rat brain, we used magnetic resonance (7.0 T) and fluorescence quenching methods to measure CMRO2 (2.5+/-1.0 micromol/g min), CBF (0.7+/-0.2 mL/g min), Piv (74+/-10 mm Hg), and Pev (16+/-5 mm Hg) to estimate the degree of oxygen efflux from the brain. In the axially distributed compartmental model, oxygen molecules in blood had two possible fates: enter the tissue space or remain in the same compartment; while in tissue there were three possible fates: enter the blood or the mitochondrial space, or remain in the same compartment. The multiparametric results indicate that the probability of unmetabolized (i.e., dissolved) oxygen molecules reentering the blood from the tissue is negligible and thus its inclusion may unnecessarily complicate calculations of CMRO2 for 15O-PET, 17O-NMR, and calibrated fMRI methods.

Mapping brain activity following administration of a nicotinic acetylcholine receptor agonist, ABT-594, using functional magnetic resonance imaging in awake rats

Administration of ABT-594, a potent agonist for nicotinic acetylcholine receptors with selectivity for the alpha4beta2 receptor subtype, is known to modulate a diverse array of behaviors including those associated with nociception, anxiety and motor function. In this study, we sought to gain insight into the neural actions of ABT-594, in vivo, by conducting functional magnetic resonance imaging in awake and anesthetized rats. Using T(2)*-weighted gradient echo imaging and an ultrasmall superparamagnetic iron oxide contrast agent, functional imaging was conducted on a 4.7 T magnet to measure changes in relative cerebral blood volume. In awake, restrained, male Sprague-Dawley rats that were acclimated to the imaging environment, injection of ABT-594 (0.03-0.3 micromol/kg, i.v.) evoked changes to relative cerebral blood volume in several neural regions including the cingulate, somatosensory, motor, auditory, and pre-frontal cortices as well as the thalamus and the periaqueductal gray/dorsal raphe. These effects were typically bimodal with significant decreases in relative cerebral blood volume at the 0.03 micromol/kg dose and increases at the higher doses (0.1 and 0.3 micromol/kg). The decreases and increases in relative cerebral blood volume were often observed within the same region, but triggered by different doses. Both increases and decreases in relative cerebral blood volume were blocked by pretreatment with the noncompetitive nicotinic acetylcholine receptor antagonist, mecamylamine (5 micromol/kg, i.p.) in awake rats. Administration of ABT-594 (0.1 micromol/kg, i.v.) to alpha-chloralose-anesthetized rats did not significantly alter relative cerebral blood volume in any brain region suggesting an anesthetic-related interference with the effects of ABT-594. The neural regions affected by administration of ABT-594 corresponded well to the known pre-clinical behavioral profile for this compound, and demonstrate the utility of using functional magnetic resonance imaging in awake animals to study pharmacological action.

Metabolic alterations in focally activated primary somatosensory cortex of alpha-chloralose-anesthetized rats measured by 1H MRS at 11.7 T

Previously, magnetic resonance spectroscopy studies of alterations in cerebral metabolite concentration during functional activation have been focused on phosphocreatine using 31P MRS and lactate using 1H MRS with controversial results. Recently, significant improvements on the spectral resolution and sensitivity of in vivo spectroscopy have been made at ultrahigh magnetic field strength. Using highly resolved localized short-TE 1H MRS at 11.7 T, we report metabolic responses of rat somatosensory cortex to forepaw stimulation in alpha-chloralose-anesthetized rats. The phosphocreatine/creatine ratio was found to be significantly decreased by 15.1 +/- 4.6% (mean +/- SEM, P < 0.01). Lactate remained very low (approximately <0.3 micromol/g w/w) with no statistically significant changes observed during forepaw stimulation at a temporal resolution of 10.7 min. An increase in glutamine and a decrease in glutamate and myo-inositol were also detected in the stimulated state. Our results suggest that, under the experimental conditions used in this study, increased energy consumption due to focal activation causes a shift in the creatine kinase reaction towards the direction of adenosine triphosphate production. At the same time, metabolic matching prevails during increased energy consumption with no significant increase in the glycolytic product lactate in the focally activated primary somatosensory cortex of alpha-chloralose-anesthetized rats.

Negative inotropic action of propofol is enhanced in the acute ischemic myocardium of dogs

PURPOSE

We investigated the effects of propofol on contractility and oxygen balance in acute ischemic myocardium and compared them with those of normal myocardium using a coronary microembolization model in dogs.

METHODS

In open-chest dogs, the left anterior descending coronary artery (LAD) was perfused through an extracorporeal bypass from the carotid artery. Regional myocardial contractility and myocardial oxygen balance were evaluated along with segment shortening (%SS), regional myocardial oxygen consumption (MVO2), and lactate extraction ratio (LER) of the area perfused by the LAD. Acute ischemia was produced by repeated injection of microspheres into the LAD-perfused area until %SS decreased by 50% of baseline.

RESULTS

In normal myocardium, intracoronary infusion of propofol at doses of 1.2 and 2.4 mg x kg(-1) x h(-1) caused slight decreases in %SS to 83% +/- 8% and 80% +/- 10%, respectively. In ischemic myocardium, propofol caused greater decreases in %SS (59% +/- 18% and 35% +/- 20%, respectively). The changes in MVO2 after propofol infusion generally paralleled the changes in %SS, but LER was not changed in either ischemic or normal myocardium.

CONCLUSION

Propofol causes a greater decrease in the contractility of acute ischemic myocardium as compared with normal myocardium in which myocardial oxygen imbalance is not involved as a mechanism.

Experimental Orthostasis Elicits Sustained Hypertension, Which Can Be Prevented by Sympathetic Blockade in the Rat

Incidence of orthostatic hypertension is estimated at 5% but is even more prevalent in borderline hypertension and autonomic neuropathies. The aim of this study was to develop a potential model to investigate orthostatic hypertension. We used normotensive and hypertensive Wistar rats to analyze responses and diurnal variations of arterial blood pressure, heart rate, temperature, and locomotor activity by telemetry. Orthostatic tests were carried out during 45 degrees head-up tilt (R, repeated 3 times for 5 minutes; or S, sustained for 120 minutes). Hypertension was induced by blockade of nitric oxide synthesis. In normotensives, horizontal control blood pressure was R115.4 +/- 1.4/S113.7 +/- 1.6 mm Hg and heart rate R386.4 +/- 7.0/S377.9 +/- 8.8 bpm. Head-up tilt increased blood pressure by R4.5/S8.4 mm Hg, including a 3.8 mm Hg hydrostatic component. The sustained hypertensive response was prevented by prazosin (10 mg/kgbw) and augmented by a subanesthetic dose of chloralose (26 mg/kgbw). In NO-deprived hypertension, horizontal control blood pressure and heart rate were R138.4 +/- 2.6/S140.3 +/- 2.7 mm Hg and R342.1 +/- 12.0/S346.0 +/- 8.3 bpm, respectively. Tilt increased blood pressure further by R4.2/S9.4 mm Hg. In both normo- and hypertensives, variables exhibited similar diurnal rhythms except for nighttime locomotor activity, reduced from 3.7 +/- 0.4 to 2.8 +/- 0.3 counts/s. These data demonstrate that conscious rats respond to sustained orthostasis with hypertension, probably as a result of increased sympathetic output. Decreasing stress using a subanesthetic dose of chloralose increased this response, reducing the inhibitory effect on hypertensive responses.

Confounding effects of anesthesia on functional activation in rodent brain: a study of halothane and α-chloralose anesthesia

Functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) in animal models provides a platform for more extensive investigation of drug effects and underlying physiological mechanisms than is possible in humans. However, it is usually necessary for the animal to be anesthetized. In this study, we have used a rat model of direct cortical stimulation to investigate the effects of anesthesia in rodent fMRI. Specifically, we have sought to answer two questions (i) what is the relationship between baseline neuronal activity and the BOLD response to stimulation under halothane anesthesia? And (ii) how does the BOLD response change after transferring from halothane to the commonly used anesthetic alpha-chloralose? In the first set of experiments, we found no significant differences in the amplitude of the BOLD response at the different halothane doses studied, despite electroencephalography (EEG) recordings indicating a dose-dependent reduction in baseline neuronal activity with increasing halothane levels. In the second set of experiments, a reduction in the spatial extent of the BOLD response was apparent immediately after transfer from halothane to alpha-chloralose anesthesia, although no change in the peak signal change was evident. However, several hours after transfer to alpha-chloralose, a significant increase in both the spatial extent and peak height of the BOLD response was observed, as well as an increased sensitivity to secondary cortical and subcortical activation. These findings suggest that, although alpha-chloralose anesthesia is associated with a greater BOLD response for a fixed stimulus relative to halothane, there is substantial variation in the extent and magnitude of the response over time that could introduce considerable variability in studies using this anesthetic.

Ex Vivo Analysis of Lactate and Glucose Metabolism in the Rat Brain under Different States of Depressed Activity

Brain metabolism of glucose and lactate was analyzed by ex vivo NMR spectroscopy in rats presenting different cerebral activities induced after the administration of pentobarbital, alpha-chloralose, or morphine. The animals were infused with a solution of either [1-(13)C]glucose plus lactate or glucose plus [3-(13)C]lactate for 20 min. Brain metabolite contents and enrichments were determined from analyses of brain tissue perchloric acid extracts according to their post-mortem evolution kinetics. When amino acid enrichments were compared, both the brain metabolic activity and the contribution of blood glucose relative to that of blood lactate to brain metabolism were linked with cerebral activity. The data also indicated the production in the brain of lactate from glycolysis in a compartment other than the neurons, presumably the astrocytes, and its subsequent oxidative metabolism in neurons. Therefore, a brain electrical activity-dependent increase in the relative contribution of blood glucose to brain metabolism occurred via the increase in the metabolism of lactate generated from brain glycolysis at the expense of that of blood lactate. This result strengthens the hypothesis that brain lactate is involved in the coupling between neuronal activation and metabolism.

Kidney function in mice: thiobutabarbital versus alpha-chloralose anesthesia

Mice that lack or over-express a gene of interest are important tools for unraveling gene function. The determination of single nephron function by micropuncture or precise determination of glomerular filtration rate (GFR) by inulin clearance method require experiments under anesthesia. A good anesthetic protocol should allow for reasonable and stable glomerular and tubular function. The aim of this study was to compare the commonly used thiobutabarbital (TBB) versus alpha-chloralose (CHL) anesthesia with regard to absolute levels and the stability of blood pressure, heart rate, and kidney function. Male CD1 mice were anesthetized with TBB (100 mg/kg body weight i.p.) or CHL (120 mg/kg body weight i.p.), plus ketamine (100 mg/kg body weight i.m.) given to every mouse for analgesia. After preparation for clearance experiments, two 30-min urine collections were performed at periods 1 and 2 (P1 and P2). It was observed that heart rate and mean arterial blood pressure did not differ between TBB ( n=9) vs. CHL ( n=9) and were stable through P1 and P2. In CHL, GFR as well as fractional excretion of fluid, Na(+) and K(+) were stable from P1 to P2 (P1: 190+/-15 microl/min, 1.6+/-0.2%, 0.7+/-0.1%, 35+/-5%; percent change in P2: 1+/-6, 26+/-10, 29+/-15, 6+/-10 respectively). In TBB, GFR was significantly greater vs. CHL in P1 and did not significantly change in P2 (246+/-8 microl/min, p<0.05; percent change: -6.5+/-4). Fractional excretion of fluid, Na(+) and K(+) were not significantly different vs. CHL in P1, but significantly increased in P2 (P1: 1.5+/-0.2%, 1.1+/-0.2%, 31+/-3%; percent change in P2: 122+/-23, 128+/-21 and 29+/-6 respectively; each p<0.05 vs. P1). In conclusion, mice under both anesthetic regimens present reasonable and stable blood pressure and reasonable kidney function, but kidney reabsorption is more stable under CHL than under TBB anesthesia, which may facilitate study of the response in kidney function to acute interventions.

Ex vivo NMR study of lactate metabolism in rat brain under various depressed states

Brain endogenous lactate metabolism was investigated by ex vivo nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy study after the infusion of rats with a solution of glucose and lactate labeled as either [3-(13)C]lactate or [1-(13)C]glucose, when their cerebral activity was more or less depressed under the influence of either pentobarbital, alphachloralose, or morphine. We found that: (1) the ratio between the enrichment of alanine C3 and that of glutamate C4, gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) C2, glutamine C4, or aspartate C3 decreased from pentobarbital to alphachloralose and morphine whatever the labeled precursor, indicating a link between metabolic and cerebral activity; (2) under glucose + [3-(13)C]lactate infusion, alanine C3 and acetyl-CoA C2 enrichments were higher than that of lactate C3, revealing the occurrence of an isotopic dilution of the brain exogenous lactate (arising from the blood) by lactate from the brain (endogenous lactate), and that the latter was synthesized from glycolysis in a compartment other than neurons; and (3) the contribution of labeled glucose and lactate to acetyl-CoA and amino acid enrichment indicated that the involvement of blood glucose relative to that of blood lactate to brain metabolism was correlated with cerebral activity. The evolution of metabolite enrichments, however, indicated that the cerebral activity-dependent increase in the contribution of blood glucose relative to that of blood lactate to brain metabolism occurred partly via the increase in lactate metabolism generated from astrocytic glycolysis. These findings support the hypothesis for an astrocyte-neuron lactate shuttle component in the coupling mechanism between cerebral activity and energy metabolism.

CAPTURE OF SANDHILL CRANES USING ALPHA-CHLORALOSE

From 1990-2001, we made 188 successful captures of 166 different greater sandhill cranes (Grus canadensis tabida) through experimental use of alpha-chloralose (AC). Most captures took place during September (72.3%; n = 136), followed by August (14.9%; n = 28), and October (12.8%; n = 24). Territorial pairs were captured more successfully than family groups. Overall morbidity (6.4%) and mortality (4.3%) were lower than most other capture techniques for sandhill cranes. Exertional myopathy (EM) was the most common complication observed using AC (3.7%). Sedation level (chi5(2) = 25.9, P < 0.01) and month of capture (chi2(2) = 12.3, P < 0.01) were both associated with the presence of EM in cranes captured with AC. A logistic regression model suggests lighter sedation and the months of August and October are potential risk factors for EM in sandhill cranes captured with AC in Wisconsin (USA).

The effects of sham and full spinalization on the antinociceptive effects of NCX-701 (nitroparacetamol) in monoarthritic rats

Nitric oxide (NO)-releasing NSAIDs have been shown to be safer and more potent as antinociceptive and anti-inflammatory agents than their parent compounds. NCX-701 (nitroparacetamol), in contrast to paracetamol, is an effective antinociceptive drug in normal animals but their effectiveness in monoarthritis has not been compared. We have now investigated this question by comparing the antinociceptive effects of i.v. NCX-701 and paracetamol in monoarthritic rats under alpha-chloralose anesthesia. The influence of spinalization on the effects of NCX-701 was also studied. NCX-701 and paracetamol were equipotent in reducing single motor unit responses to noxious mechanical stimulation, ID50s of 320+/-1.2 and 305+/-1.2 micromol/kg, respectively. The mechanism of action seems to be different since NCX-701, but not paracetamol, reduced wind-up. This effect suggests a central action, probably within the spinal cord. Sham spinalization reduced the effect of NCX-701 on nociceptive responses drastically. In spinalized animals, however, the effect was similar to that observed in intact animals, indicating a strong effect of NCX-701 at spinal sites, which counterbalances the decrease in the activity induced by the surgery. We conclude that NCX-701 is an effective antinociceptive drug in arthritic animals, with a mechanism of action located in the spinal cord, and different to that of paracetamol.

Exercise pressor reflex in decerebrate and anesthetized rats

I investigated whether muscular contraction evokes cardiorespiratory increases (exercise pressor reflex) in alpha-chloralose- and chloral hydrate-anesthetized and precollicular, midcollicular, and postcollicular decerebrated rats. Mean arterial pressure (MAP), heart rate (HR), and minute ventilation (Ve) were recorded before and during 1-min sciatic nerve stimulation, which induced static contraction of the triceps surae muscles, and during 1-min stretch of the calcaneal tendon, which selectively stimulated mechanosensitive receptors in the muscles. Anesthetized rats showed various patterns of MAP response to both stimuli, i.e., biphasic, depressor, pressor, and no response. Sciatic nerve stimulation to muscle in precollicular decerebrated rats always evoked spontaneous running, so the exercise pressor reflex was not determined from these preparations. None of the postcollicular decerebrated rats showed a MAP response or spontaneous running. Midcollicular decerebrated rats consistently showed biphasic blood pressure response to both stimulations. The increases in MAP, HR, and Ve were related to the tension developed. The static contractions in midcollicular decerebrated rats (381 +/- 65 g developed tension) significantly increased MAP, HR, and Ve from 103 +/- 12 to 119 +/- 24 mmHg, from 386 +/- 30 to 406 +/- 83 beats/min, and from 122 +/- 7 to 133 +/- 25 ml/min, respectively. After paralysis, sciatic nerve stimulation had no effect on MAP, HR, or Ve. These results indicate that the midcollicular decerebrated rat can be a model for the study of the exercise pressor reflex.