British journal of anaesthesia
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We and others have previously demonstrated that the μ-opioid receptor (MOR) is overexpressed in several human malignancies. There is a seven-fold increase in MOR in cell lines of human lung cancer. In animal models, overexpression of MOR promotes tumour growth and metastasis. We, therefore, examined whether MOR expression is increased in metastatic lung cancer. ⋯ The association between the expression of MOR and the progression of the tumour is consistent with the hypothesis of a direct effect of MOR on cancer progression.
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Activation of K2P channel-TREK1 mediates the neuroprotection induced by sevoflurane preconditioning.
Preconditioning with volatile anaesthetic agents induces tolerance to focal cerebral ischaemia, although the underlying mechanisms have not been clearly defined. The present study analyses whether TREK-1, a two-pore domain K(+) channel and target for volatile anaesthetics, plays a role in mediating neuroprotection by sevoflurane. ⋯ Sevoflurane preconditioning-induced neuroprotective effects against transient cerebral ischaemic injuries involve TREK-1 channels. These results suggest a novel mechanism for sevoflurane preconditioning-induced tolerance to focal cerebral ischaemia.
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Letter Comparative Study
Evaluation of acoustic respiration rate monitoring after extubation in intensive care unit patients.
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Clinical Trial Observational Study
Comparison of continuous non-invasive finger arterial pressure monitoring with conventional intermittent automated arm arterial pressure measurement in patients under general anaesthesia.
For a majority of patients undergoing anaesthesia for general surgery, mean arterial pressure (MAP) is only measured intermittently by arm cuff oscillometry (MAPiNIAP). In contrast, the Nexfin(®) device provides continuous non-invasive measurement of MAP (MAPcNIAP) using a finger cuff. We explored the agreement of MAPcNIAP and MAPiNIAP with the gold standard: continuous invasive MAP measurement by placement of a radial artery catheter (MAPinvasive). ⋯ NCT 01362335 (clinicaltrials.gov).
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Metastatic breast and colon cancer cells express neonatal and adult splice variants of NaV1.5 voltage-activated Na(+) channels (VASCs). Block of VASCs inhibits cell invasion. Local anaesthetics used during surgical tumour excision inhibit VASC activity on nociceptive neurones providing regional anaesthesia. Inhibition of VASCs on circulating metastatic cancer cells may also be beneficial during the perioperative period. However, ropivacaine, frequently used to provide analgesia during tumour resection, has not been tested on colon cancer cell VASC function or invasion. ⋯ Ropivacaine is a potent inhibitor of both NaV1.5 channel activity and metastatic colon cancer cell invasion, which may be beneficial during surgical colon cancer excision.