Anesthesia and analgesia
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Anesthesia and analgesia · Nov 2009
Inotropic support during experimental endotoxemic shock: part I. The effects of levosimendan on splanchnic perfusion.
Septic shock may cause splanchnic hypoperfusion. We hypothesized that levosimendan would improve systemic and hepatosplanchnic perfusion during endotoxemic shock. ⋯ Levosimendan administered after the establishment of endotoxemic shock to pigs receiving moderate fluid resuscitation prevented further increases in MPAP and maintained a low SVR. There were, however, no improvements in CO, MAP decreased, and levosimendan neither prevented the development of circulatory shock nor improved hepatosplanchnic perfusion.
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Anesthesia and analgesia · Nov 2009
Propofol inhibits aquaporin 4 expression through a protein kinase C-dependent pathway in an astrocyte model of cerebral ischemia/reoxygenation.
Aquaporin 4 (AQP4) plays a key role in maintaining water balance in the central nervous system, and its dysfunction may lead to brain edema. Previous studies have suggested that propofol may be involved in neuroprotection by preventing brain edema. In this study, we examined the effects of propofol on edema and assessed its neuroprotective actions in an oxygen and glucose deprivation (OGD) model of cultured rat astrocytes. We assessed the effects of propofol on AQP4 expression and the possible role of the protein kinase C (PKC) pathway on this effect. ⋯ Propofol, administered during OGD, provided neuroprotective effects and down-regulated AQP4 expression in the OGD/reoxygenation model of cultured rat astrocytes. Activation of the PKC pathway may block the effects of propofol.
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Anesthesia and analgesia · Nov 2009
Case ReportsA hemodynamic profile for consciousness during cardiopulmonary resuscitation.
We report the quantification of a hemodynamic profile sufficient to support consciousness during cardiopulmonary resuscitation. A 62-yr-old man experienced cardiac arrest while being evaluated for heart failure after heart transplantation. ⋯ A mean arterial blood pressure of 50 mm Hg with a heart rate of 100 bpm supported consciousness during cardiac arrest. This case helps to validate the recent emphasis on hard, fast, basic life support.
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Anesthesia and analgesia · Nov 2009
The effects of electroacupuncture on TH1/TH2 cytokine mRNA expression and mitogen-activated protein kinase signaling pathways in the splenic T cells of traumatized rats.
Surgical trauma contributes to postoperative immune suppression, which is associated with an increased susceptibility to subsequent infections. Electroacupuncture (EA) can alleviate pain and exert immunoregulatory effects. However, the mechanism underlying the immnuomodulation effects of EA is not fully elucidated. Therefore, we investigated the effects of EA on T helper (Th)1/Th2 cytokine production and mRNA expression and evaluated the signaling regulatory mechanism of EA effects. ⋯ EA regulates a balance between Th1 and Th2 cytokines at protein and mRNA levels in splenic T cells, and, at least in part, involves the signaling pathways of ERK1/2, p38, NF-kappaB, and AP-1. The findings suggest that EA may improve immune suppression after surgical trauma.