title: The effects of isoflurane on adrenomedullin-induced haemodynamic responses in pithed rats.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Adrenomedullin is a potent vasodilatory peptide. The mechanisms of adrenomedullin-induced responses are via guanine nucleotide guanosine 5'-triphosphate-binding protein (G-protein)-coupled receptor activation and are similar to those of calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP). Previously, we reported that sevoflurane and isoflurane inhibit CGRP-induced haemodynamic responses. The effects of volatile anaesthetics on adrenomedullin-induced haemodynamic responses, however, are unclear. We hypothesized that the volatile anaesthetic isoflurane inhibits adrenomedullin-induced haemodynamic responses. We studied the effects of isoflurane on adrenomedullin-induced haemodynamic responses in pithed rats, which enables us to evaluate the direct cardiovascular effects of drugs without interference from centrally mediated circulatory reflexes.
  
  
  METHODS
  Male Wistar rats were pithed by inserting a stainless-steel rod into the spinal cord. Following median sternotomy, a flow probe was placed around the ascending aorta to measure aortic blood flow. Mean arterial pressure and cardiac output were maintained at approximately 100 mmHg and 50 mL min-1, respectively, with continuous infusion of norepinephrine. After 30 min inhalation of isoflurane (1%, or 2%) in oxygen, or only oxygen, adrenomedullin (1, 3, 10 or 30 microg kg-1) was administered intravenously.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Adrenomedullin administration induced a transient increase followed by a persistent decrease in mean arterial pressure and cardiac output. Isoflurane (2%) significantly inhibited the initial increase in mean arterial pressure and the later decrease in mean arterial pressure and systemic vascular resistance.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Isoflurane inhibits adrenomedullin-induced vasodilation and positive inotropic effect in pithed rats. Isoflurane might inhibit the adrenomedullin receptor-mediated response, which is a common pathway for both actions.
authors.affiliation: Gunma University Graduate School of Medicine, Department of Anaesthesiology, Maebashi, Japan. mkuroda@med.gunma-u.ac.jp
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Kuroda
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Yoshikawa
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Koizuka
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Nishikawa
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Saito
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Goto
mesh_terms: D053607:Adrenomedullin / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors / Q000494:pharmacology*; D000818:Animals; D003655:Decerebrate State; D006439:Hemodynamics / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000502:physiology; D007530:Isoflurane / Q000494:pharmacology*; D008297:Male; D011897:Random Allocation; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D013116:Spinal Cord / Q000098:blood supply* / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000502:physiology; D014664:Vasodilation / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology
chemical_list: D053607:Adrenomedullin; D007530:Isoflurane