Effcets of bicuculline or securinine on the hypnotic effects of intravenous anesthetics

Objective To investigate the relationship between GABA_A receptor and the hypnotic effects of pentobarbital sodium,sodium hydroxybutyrate, etomidate, propofol and ketamine. Methods After having established the mice model of hypnosis by intraperitoneally injected appropriate doses of pentobarbital sodium, sodium hydroxybutyrate, etomidate, propofol or ketamine, we intracerebroventricularly or intravenously injected the mice with different doses of bieuculline (Bic) or seeurinine (Se); and then observed effects on the sleeping time by using awaken test. Results Bic and Se significantly and dose-dependently decreased the sleeping time of mice treated with pentobarbital sodium, etomidate, prepofol or ketamine (P 0.05). Conclusion GABA_A receptor may be important target for the hypnotic effect of pentobarbital sodium, etomidate, propofol and ketamine, but not be the targets for the hypnotic effects of sodium hydroxybutyrate. Key words: GABA_A receptor;  Intravenous anesthetics;  Bicuculline;  Securinine;  Hypnosis;  Analepsia