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Pharmacological effects of intravenous melatonin: comparative studies with thiopental and propofol
Journal article   Open access   Peer reviewed

Pharmacological effects of intravenous melatonin: comparative studies with thiopental and propofol

M Naguib, D. L Hammond, P. G Schmid III, M. T Baker, J Cutkomp, L Queral and T Smith
British journal of anaesthesia : BJA, Vol.90(4), pp.504-507
04/2003
DOI: 10.1093/bja/aeg092
PMID: 12644425
url
https://doi.org/10.1093/bja/aeg092View
Published (Version of record) Open Access

Abstract

Background. Possible utility of high‐dose i.v. melatonin as an anaesthetic adjuvant has not been studied. This study compared its effects with thiopental and propofol. Methods. Sprague Dawley rats were assigned to receive bolus or cumulative i.v. doses of melatonin, thiopental or propofol. Righting reflex, hindpaw withdrawal to a noxious stimulus, response to tail clamping and haemodynamic effects were assessed. Results. Melatonin caused a dose‐dependent increase in paw withdrawal threshold and the percent of rats displaying loss of the righting reflex. Melatonin was comparable to thiopental and propofol in terms of its rapid onset of hypnosis. The mean ED50 values for loss of righting reflex were 5.4 (sem 1.2), 12.5 (1.1) and 178 (1.1) mg kg–1 for propofol, thiopental and melatonin, respectively. The percent of rats displaying loss of response to tail clamping was greater with propofol than with melatonin (P<0.05). Haemodynamic changes produced by melatonin or propofol were similar in onset and magnitude. Conclusions. I.V. melatonin can exert hypnotic effects similar to those observed with thiopental and propofol. Melatonin exhibited significant antinociceptive effects but was less effective in abolishing the response to tail clamping. Br J Anaesth 2003; 90: 504–7
anaesthetics, i.v. thiopental; anaesthetics, i.v. propofol; sympathetic nervous system, melatonin

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