Sufentanil potentiates the inhibitory effect of epinephrine on intestinal motility.
OBJECTIVE
The aim of our study was to evaluate the effect of the combination of different catecholamines and sufentanil on peristalsis of the isolated guinea pig small bowel in vitro.


METHODS
In vitro study on excised guinea pig small-bowel segments (8-10 segments per substance tested).


METHODS
Laboratory for experimental studies at the University.


METHODS
Isolated guinea pig small-bowel segments.


METHODS
Excised segments of guinea pig small bowel were mounted in a tissue bath (37 degrees C) in Tyrode's solution and bubbled with carbogen (95% O2/5% CO2). The lumina were perfused with Tyrode's solution at 0.5 ml/min. The test drugs (epinephrine, norepinephrine, dobutamine, sufentanil, and a combination of these catecholamines with sufentanil) were added to the tissue bath and peristalsis recorded via changes in the intraluminal pressure. One-way and two-way ANOVA were used for statistical analysis.


RESULTS
All the tested substances, both individually and in combination, inhibited intestinal peristalsis in a dose-dependent manner. High doses resulted in a complete blockade of peristalsis. Preexposure of the segments to sufentanil at 0.1 nM barely influenced the effects of the catecholamines on peristalsis. However, sufentanil at 0.3 nM enhanced the antiperistaltic activity of epinephrine in a supraadditive manner, whereas the effect on norepinephrine and dobutamine was less pronounced.


CONCLUSIONS
Our experimental data suggest that the combination of epinephrine and sufentanil might be the worst choice for the intensive care setting. This is due to its pronounced inhibitory effect on peristalsis in vitro at moderate and higher concentrations.
Fruhwald
S
S
Department of Anesthesiology and Intensive Care Medicine, University of Graz, Auenbruggerplatz 29, 8036 Graz, Austria. sonja.fruhwald@kfunigraz.ac.at
Herk
E
E
Petnehazy
T
T
Scheidl
S
S
Holzer
P
P
Hammer
F
F
Metzler
H
H
D018663:Adrenergic Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*; D000701:Analgesics, Opioid / Q000494:pharmacology*; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D000818:Animals; D002395:Catecholamines / Q000494:pharmacology; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004357:Drug Synergism; D004837:Epinephrine / Q000494:pharmacology*; D005769:Gastrointestinal Motility / Q000187:drug effects*; D006168:Guinea Pigs; D017409:Sufentanil / Q000494:pharmacology*
D018663:Adrenergic Agents; D000701:Analgesics, Opioid; D002395:Catecholamines; D017409:Sufentanil; D004837:Epinephrine