This Article Full Text Full Text (PDF) Alert me when this article is cited Alert me if a correction is posted Services Email this article to a colleague Similar articles in this journal Similar articles in Web of Science Similar articles in PubMed Alert me to new issues of the journal Download to citation manager Request Permissions Citing Articles Citing Articles via HighWire Citing Articles via Web of Science (23) Citing Articles via Google Scholar Google Scholar Articles by Miyazaki, Y. Articles by Segawa, H. Search for Related Content PubMed PubMed Citation Articles by Miyazaki, Y. Articles by Segawa, H.

---

GENERAL ARTICLES

Xenon Has Greater Inhibitory Effects on Spinal Dorsal Horn Neurons than Nitrous Oxide in Spinal Cord Transected Cats

Department of Anesthesia, Kyoto University Hospital, Kyoto, Japan

Address correspondence to Takehiko Adachi, MD, Department of Anesthesia, Kyoto University Hospital, 54 Kawahara-cho, Shogoin, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto, 606-8507, Japan. Address e-mail to adachi @kuhp.kyoto-u.ac.jp.

Xenon (Xe) suppresses wide dynamic range neurons in cat spinal cord to a similar extent as nitrous oxide (N₂O). The antinociceptive action of N₂O involves the descending inhibitory system. To clarify whether the descending inhibitory system is also involved in the antinociceptive action of Xe, we compared the effects of Xe on the spinal cord dorsal horn neurons with those of N₂O in spinal cord-transected cats anesthetized with -chloralose and urethane. We investigated the change of wide dynamic range neuron responses to touch and pinch by both anesthetics. Seventy percent Xe significantly suppressed both touch- and pinch-evoked responses in all 12 neurons. In contrast, 70% N₂O did not show significant suppression in touch- and pinch-evoked responses. These results suggest that the antinociceptive action of Xe might not be mediated by the descending inhibitory system, but instead may be produced by the direct effect on spinal dorsal horn neurons.

Implications: Xenon (Xe) is an inert gas with anesthetic properties. We examined the antinociceptive effects of Xe and nitrous oxide (N₂O) in spinal cord-transected cats. Our studies indicate that Xe has a direct antinociceptive action on the spinal cord that is greater than that of N₂O.

This article has been cited by other articles:

				A. R. Barakat, M. N. Schreiber, J. Flaschar, M. Georgieff, and S. Schraag The Effective Concentration 50 (EC50) for Propofol with 70% Xenon Versus 70% Nitrous Oxide Anesth. Analg., March 1, 2008; 106(3): 823 - 829. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				J. F. Antognini, R. J. Atherley, R. C. Dutton, M. J. Laster, E. I. Eger II, and E. Carstens The Excitatory and Inhibitory Effects of Nitrous Oxide on Spinal Neuronal Responses to Noxious Stimulation Anesth. Analg., April 1, 2007; 104(4): 829 - 835. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				C. Vahle-Hinz, O. Detsch, C. Hackner, and E. Kochs Corresponding minimum alveolar concentrations of isoflurane and isoflurane/nitrous oxide have divergent effects on thalamic nociceptive signalling Br. J. Anaesth., February 1, 2007; 98(2): 228 - 235. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				J. Benrath, C. Kempf, M. Georgieff, and J. Sandkuhler Xenon Blocks the Induction of Synaptic Long-Term Potentiation in Pain Pathways in the Rat Spinal Cord In Vivo Anesth. Analg., January 1, 2007; 104(1): 106 - 111. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				R. D. Sanders, N. Patel, M. Hossain, D. Ma, and M. Maze Isoflurane exerts antinociceptive and hypnotic properties at all ages in Fischer rats Br. J. Anaesth., September 1, 2005; 95(3): 393 - 399. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				R. D. Sanders, D. Ma, and M. Maze Xenon: elemental anaesthesia in clinical practice Br. Med. Bull., February 22, 2005; 71(1): 115 - 135. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				R. D. Sanders, N. P. Franks, and M. Maze Xenon: no stranger to anaesthesia Br. J. Anaesth., November 1, 2003; 91(5): 709 - 717. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				T. Fukuda, C. Nishimoto, S. Hisano, M. Miyabe, and H. Toyooka The Analgesic Effect of Xenon on the Formalin Test in Rats: A Comparison with Nitrous Oxide Anesth. Analg., November 1, 2002; 95(5): 1300 - 1304. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				D. D. Koblin Urethane: Help or Hindrance? Anesth. Analg., February 1, 2002; 94(2): 241 - 242. [Full Text] [PDF]