Electro-acupuncture reduces the need for additional anesthetics in experimental studies.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the possible beneficial effects of electro-acupuncture in rats subjected to ketamine/xylazine (KX) intra-peritoneal (i.p.) anesthesia.


METHODS
Forty-eight male Wistar rats were distributed in four equal groups. All rats received i.p. injections of ketamine (90 mg/kg) +xylazine (10 mg/kg) anesthesia. Basal values group (control) rats (BV) received no additional treatment. The equivalent of the human right ST36 (Zusanli) and CV-12(Zhongwan) acupoints were chosen for needling and electrical stimulation. AC rats were needled with sterilized disposable stainless steel needles at right ST36 and CV12 acupoints; needles were retained for 30 minutes. EAC10 rats, after needle insertion as described, had electrodes connected to both needles and to an electro stimulator model NKL EL-608; pulsed square waves, 10 Hz, 10 mA, was applied for 30 minutes. EAC100 rats were submitted to EA as described. However, a greater frequency (100 Hz) was used.


RESULTS
Thirty-seven rats remained under adequate anesthetic level during the experiment. However, maintenance anesthesia was required by 11 rats. Need for additional anesthesia decreased to 9.1% in EAC100 rats compared to BV (36.3%).


CONCLUSIONS
Both the AC and the EAC10/100 prolong the anesthetic effect of the combination Ketamine-xylazine in rats, allowing longer duration of anesthesia with a lower dose of anesthetic, thereby reducing the occurrence of complications.
Silva
Agamenon Honório
AH
Department of Surgery, Post-Graduation Program, Federal University of Ceará (UFC), Fortaleza, CE, Brazil.
Prado Neto
Alberico Ximenes do
AX
Guimarães
Sérgio Botelho
SB
D015667:Acupuncture Analgesia / Q000379:methods*; D015669:Acupuncture Points; D019162:Anesthetics, Combined / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D000778:Anesthetics, Dissociative / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D000818:Animals; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D015671:Electroacupuncture; D006993:Hypnotics and Sedatives / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D007649:Ketamine / Q000008:administration & dosage; D008297:Male; D009125:Muscle Relaxants, Central / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D011897:Random Allocation; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D013997:Time Factors; D014991:Xylazine / Q000008:administration & dosage
D019162:Anesthetics, Combined; D000778:Anesthetics, Dissociative; D006993:Hypnotics and Sedatives; D009125:Muscle Relaxants, Central; D014991:Xylazine; D007649:Ketamine