title: [Effect of ropivacaine on neuronal norepinephrine reuptake in smooth muscle.].
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  In addition to local anesthetic action, ropivacaine has clinically significant vasoconstrictor effects, which may be observed at infiltrative anesthesia, making it an important anesthetic for field blockade. This study aimed at characterizing the constrictor mechanism of ropivacaine on smooth muscles.
  
  
  METHODS
  Norepinephrine concentration-effect curves in the absence or presence of ropivacaine were plotted on isolated preparations of vas deferens of rats. In another series of experiments rats were treated with reserpine (10 mg.kg-1, i.p.) to evaluate vas deferens reactivity to tyramine or norepinephrine, in the absence or presence of ropivacaine.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Ropivacaine 5 or 10 microg.mL-1 potentiated maximum norepinephrine effect (Emax) in 47% and 35%, respectively, while higher concentrations (50 or 100 microg.mL-1) inhibited its maximum effect. In isolated vas deferens of rats treated with reserpine, ropivacaine (10 or 20 microg.mL-1) potentiated (150% and 25%, respectively) norepinephrine-induced contractions, while higher concentrations (50 or 100 microg.mL-1) have not changed responses to norepinephrine.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Ropivacaine blocks neuronal norepinephrine reuptake by sympathetic nerve terminals.
authors.affiliation: Disciplina de Farmacologia, UFMA.
authors.forename: Carlos Alberto de Souza
authors.initials: CA
authors.lastname: Martins
authors.forename: Pedro Wanderley de
authors.initials: PW
authors.lastname: Aragão
authors.forename: Sonia Maria de Farias
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: Freire
authors.forename: Mahiba Mattar Rahbani de Souza
authors.initials: MM
authors.lastname: Martins
authors.forename: Marilene Oliveira da Rocha
authors.initials: MO
authors.lastname: Borges
authors.forename: Antonio Carlos Romão
authors.initials: AC
authors.lastname: Borges