Beneficial effects of buprenorphine (a partial opiate agonist) in porcine Escherichia coli septicaemia: a comparison with naloxone
Donaldson, M.D.; Vesey, C.J.; Wilks, M.; Hinds, C.J.
Circulatory Shock 25(3): 209-221
1988
ISSN/ISBN: 0092-6213 PMID: 3048768 Document Number: 312149
The cardiovascular and metabolic responses to treatment with naloxone or buprenorphine (a partial opiate agonist) were investigated in a porcine model of septicaemia. Animals anaesthetized with alpha-chloralose were infused with E. coli over two hours. They were then divided into three groups and received either naloxone (2 mg kg-1 + 1.5 mg kg-1hr-1) or buprenorphine (0.3 mg kg-1) or an equivalent volume of normal saline. Treatment was started one hour after commencing the infusion, by which time a significant fall in cardiac index (CI), stroke index (SI), mean arterial pressure (MAP), and pH had occurred in all groups, together with a significant rise in mixed venous blood lactate and packed cell volume. Treatment with both naloxone and buprenorphine resulted in significant improvements in CI, pH, and base excess and in a fall in mixed venous lactate and packed cell volume. Although no significant effect on survival was seen at three hours after the start of treatment, buprenorphine may prove to be a suitable alternative to naloxone in the management of septic shock.