The effect of xenon on spinal dorsal horn neurons: a comparison with nitrous oxide
Utsumi, J.; Adachi, T.; Miyazaki, Y.; Kurata, J.; Shibata, M.; Murakawa, M.; Arai, T.; Mori, K.
Anesthesia and Analgesia 84(6): 1372-1376
1997
ISSN/ISBN: 0003-2999 PMID: 9174323 Document Number: 478707
We compared the effects of xenon (Xe) on the spinal cord dorsal horn neurons with those of nitrous oxide (N-2O) in cats anesthetized with chrolarose and urethane. We assessed the potency of both anesthetics by the inhibition of wide dynamic range neuron responses evoked by cutaneous noxious (pinch) stimulation to a hindpaw. During 70% Xe inhalation, the responses of 7 of 11 neurons to pinch stimulation were suppressed. N-2O, 70%, suppressed it in 8 of 11 neurons. The potency of Xe and N-20 was compared in six neurons that were suppressed by both anesthetics. After 20 min of Xe inhalation, the response to pinch was suppressed to 49.5% +- 8.2% (mean +- sE), while N-2O, 70% in oxygen, suppressed it to 45.9% +- 7.9%. The difference between N-2O and Xe was not significant. We conclude that Xe and NO suppress the spinal cord dorsal horn neurons to a similar degree.