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August 05, 2010

Separating analgesic from respiratory effects of narcotics

In a rodent study published in the June 2009 issue of Anesthesiology, Ren et al begins to separate the analgesic from the respiratory effects of narcotics.  They found that administration of Ampakine CX717 attenuated (when given before) or reversed (when given after) an intraperiotoneal dose of fentanyl that would produce apnea.  The authors note that the compound used is considered safe for primate studies and clinical trials for cognitive disorders.  It also crosses the blood brain barrier.  The effect of CX717 does not directly reverse the effect of the narcotic on the respiratory center but rather it accentuates a pathway that is important to generating the respiratory rhythm within the preBotzinger complex.  Ren J et al: Ampakine CX717 protects against fentanyl-induced respiratory depression and lethal apnea in rats.  Anesthesiology 2009;110:1364-70.

 

David S. Smith, M.D., Ph.D.

Posted at 09:38 PM in Opioids, Research |

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  • Blogmaster
    This blog is organized and maintained by David S. Smith, M.D., Ph.D. Associate Professor of Anesthesiology and Critical Care, University of Pennsylvania. His subspeciality is anesthesia for patients undergoing neurosurgery. For the past 6 years he has had responsibilites for patient safety and clinical care quality improvment in a Department of over 65 faculty who provide anesthesia care for about 24,000 patients each year. Correspondance can be sent to [email protected]
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    The purpose of this blog is primarily to provide ongoing contact with former residents and faculty of the Department of Anesthesiology and Critical Care at the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, U.S.A. Others may also have an interest in the topics presented. We plan to discuss a variety of issues related to the practice of anesthesiology with an emphasis on patient safety, risk management and medical legal aspects of care.
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    The content and observations on this Weblog come mostly from members of the Department of Anesthesiology and Critical Care of the University of Pennsylvania. However this material does not represent the official opinion of that Department, the University of Pennsylvania or any of its other Departments or Divisions. Medicine is a rapidly changing field. We cannot guarantee that any of the material here is correct or up to date.
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