Neural Regeneration Research ›› 2012, Vol. 7 ›› Issue (7): 492-495.

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The gap junction blocker carbenoxolone enhances propofol and sevoflurane-induced loss of consciousness

Zhigang Liu1, Yongfang Liu2, Bo Zhao1, Li Du1, Zhongyuan Xia1, Xiangdong Chen1, Tao Luo1   

  1. 1 Department of Anesthesiology, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan 430060, Hubei Province, China
    2 Department of Anesthesiology, Wuhan First Hospital, Wuhan 430022, Hubei Province, China
  • Received:2011-11-20 Revised:2012-02-02 Online:2012-03-05 Published:2012-03-05
  • Contact: Tao Luo, M.D., Associate chief physician, Department of Anesthesiology, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan 430060, Hubei Province, China luotao_wh@yahoo.com
  • About author:Zhigang Liu☆, M.D., Attending physician, Department of Anesthesiology, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan 430060, Hubei Province, China Zhigang Liu and Yongfang Liu contributed equally to this study.

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Abstract:

General anesthetics induce loss of consciousness by inhibiting ascending arousal pathways, and they interfere with gap junction electrical coupling. The present study aimed to determine whether inhibition of gap junction-mediated signaling could influence general anesthetic-induced loss of consciousness. The general anesthetics sevoflurane and propofol were used. Intracerebroventricular administration of carbenoxolone, a gap junction blocker, significantly decreased the time to loss of the righting reflex (P < 0.05), but prolonged the time to recovery of the reflex (P < 0.05). Moreover, intracerebroventricular administration of carbenoxolone increased the sensitivity to sevoflurane, with a leftward shift of the loss of righting reflex dose-response curve, and decreased the 50% effective concentration of sevoflurane. These results suggest that the gap junction blocker carbenoxolone enhances propofol and sevoflurane-mediated general anesthesia.

Key words: gap junction, blocker, propofol, sevoflurane, general anesthesia, nerve block, neuropharmacology