The influence of anesthesia and surgery on plasma cortisol and tissue ascorbic acid levels in the guinea pig.
The influence of methoxyflurane anesthesia alone compared to anesthesia and laparotomy surgery on plasma cortisol (PC) levels and tissue ascorbic acid (AA) levels was examined in adult male albino guinea pigs (485 +/- 7 g) consuming 500 mg AA/kg diet. Anesthesia resulted in a 60% decrease in food intake on day 1 after treatment, while surgery resulted in a 71% decrease. By day 4, food intake for both groups was equal to that of control animals. Body weight decreased 5-7% on day 1 after both treatments; recovery of body weight to pre-treatment levels was slowest in the animals exposed to surgery. After anesthesia alone, PC levels were twice that of controls by 1 hr and the five-fold higher peak PC level was observed at 9 hr. Surgery induced a more immediate five-fold rise in PC level that plateaued at 1 hr. PC levels decreased to levels similar to the control animals after 72 hr after both treatments. Weight, percent water, and AA levels of tissues examined at seven days after treatment were similar among groups. The results indicate that the adrenal cortical response to surgery is of the same magnitude as for anesthesia alone, although the peak PC level is more quickly achieved. Tissue AA levels are similar seven days after surgery or anesthesia alone even though elevated PC levels sustained for several days.
Kipp
D E
DE
Department of Dietetics and Nutrition, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City 66103.
Fox
L M
LM
Levy
J A
JA
D000005:Abdomen / Q000601:surgery*; D000777:Anesthetics / Q000494:pharmacology*; D000818:Animals; D001205:Ascorbic Acid / Q000378:metabolism*; D001835:Body Weight; D004435:Eating; D006168:Guinea Pigs; D006854:Hydrocortisone / Q000097:blood*; D008297:Male; D008733:Methoxyflurane / Q000494:pharmacology
D000777:Anesthetics; D008733:Methoxyflurane; D001205:Ascorbic Acid; D006854:Hydrocortisone