title: Effects of the calcium channel activator Bay K 8644 on general anaesthetic potency in mice.
abstract: 1. The effects of the calcium channel activator, Bay K 8644, on the anaesthetic potencies of ethanol, argon and pentobarbitone were examined in mice. 2. Bay K 8644, at 1 mg kg-1 i.p., significantly antagonized the general anaesthetic potencies of ethanol and argon, but at 5 and 10 mg kg-1 this compound increased the general anaesthetic potency of these drugs. 3. At doses of 1, 5 and 10 mg kg-1 Bay K 8644 antagonized the anaesthetic effects of pentobarbitone. Bay K 8644, at the highest dose used, did not alter the brain concentrations of pentobarbitone or the blood concentrations of ethanol. 5. The effects of the different doses of Bay K 8644 on the actions of ethanol and of argon are compatible with the known partial agonist properties of this compound on calcium channels in vitro. 6. The actions of Bay K 8644 on the anaesthetic effects of pentobarbitone suggests that specific interactions may be involved in the anaesthetic actions of this compound.
authors: Department of Anaesthesia, Addenbrooke's Hospital, Cambridge.
authors: S J
authors: SJ
authors: Dolin
authors: M J
authors: MJ
authors: Halsey
authors: H J
authors: HJ
authors: Little
mesh_terms: D001498:3-Pyridinecarboxylic acid, 1,4-dihydro-2,6-dimethyl-5-nitro-4-(2-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl)-, Methyl ester / Q000378:metabolism / Q000494:pharmacology*; D000768:Anesthesia, General; D000818:Animals; D001128:Argon / Q000494:pharmacology; D001921:Brain / Q000378:metabolism; D002120:Calcium Channel Agonists / Q000494:pharmacology*; D000431:Ethanol / Q000378:metabolism / Q000494:pharmacology; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D010424:Pentobarbital / Q000378:metabolism / Q000494:pharmacology
chemical_list: D002120:Calcium Channel Agonists; D000431:Ethanol; D001128:Argon; D001498:3-Pyridinecarboxylic acid, 1,4-dihydro-2,6-dimethyl-5-nitro-4-(2-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl)-, Methyl ester; D010424:Pentobarbital