The Effect of Althesin, Ketamine or Pentothal on Renal Function in Saline Loaded Rats

Abstract

Rats were prepared with chronic cannulae in the carotid artery, jugular vein and urinary bladder; they were then kept 2 days to allow recovery from surgery. A steady-state continuous saline diuresis was established, then various anaesthetic agents were injected and changes in the urine flow, sodium and potassium excretion rates, GFR, ERPF, ERBF and blood pressure were measured. Five groups of rats were studied: (1) control animals given saline in place of any anaesthetic agent, all parameters measured remained constant; (2) althesin (1.2 mg/kg), all parameters remained constant except for the blood pressure which decreased slightly for 5 min; (3) althesin (12 mg/kg); (4) ketamine (50 mg/kg); (5) pentothal (50 mg/kg). The above anaesthetics altered all of the measured parameters except urine output. Various mechanisms for these anaesthetic agents are discussed. In althesin anaesthetized rats, all the retarded renal parameters recovered within 30 min. It is concluded that for the study of renal function, if a brief anaesthesia is needed, althesin is a more suitable anaesthetic agent.

Arylcyclohexamines (Ketamine, Phencyclidine, and Analogues)

“…The toxic effects of arylcyclohexamines, and ketamine in particular, on the urogenital system have only been described relatively recently [252][253][254]. Only one study has investigated the effects of ketamine on the kidney after acute administration; after a 50 mg/kg administration of ketamine, rats demonstrated decreased glomerular filtration rate and renal plasma flow lasting 2 days [255]. Most studies and reports describe the effects of chronic ketamine use on the urogenital system; the following relates to chronic use.…”

Renal and Renin Effects of Sodium Thiopental in Rabbits

“…Anesthetic dose of intravenous pentobarbital sodium decreased renal hemodynamics and/or urine flow (UV) in rats [2][3][4][5], dogs [6,7] and rabbits [8]. Sodi um thiopental anesthesia decreased UV in rats [9], and renal hemodynamics, UV and urinary excretion of electrolytes in humans [ 10].…”