Urethane, but not pentobarbitone, attenuates presynaptic receptor function in rats: a contribution to the choice of anaesthetic

Background and purpose:  We examined whether cannabinoid CB1 and histamine H3 receptors resemble α2-adrenoceptors in that their presynaptically mediated cardiovascular effects are less marked in urethane- than in pentobarbitone-anaesthetized pithed rats. Experimental approach:  Effects of the cannabinoid agonist CP-55,940 and the H3 receptor agonist imetit on electrically induced tachycardic and vasopressor responses, respectively, was compared in pithed rats anaesthetized with urethane or pentobarbitone. The affinity of urethane for the three receptors was measured by radioligand binding studies in rat brain cortex membranes and its potency assessed in superfused mouse tissues preincubated with 3H-noradrenaline. Key results:  The neurogenic tachycardic response was less markedly inhibited by CP-55,940 in urethane- than in pentobarbitone-anaesthetized pithed rats. Imetit inhibited the neurogenic vasopressor response after pentobarbitone but not after urethane. The catecholamine-induced tachycardic and vasopressor response did not differ between rats anaesthetized with either compound. Urethane 10 mM (plasma concentration reached under anaesthesia) did not affect binding to CB1 or H3 receptors and α2 adrenoceptors, nor did it alter the inhibitory effect of agonists at the three receptors on electrically evoked 3H-noradrenaline release. Conclusions and implications:  Urethane, but not pentobarbitone, abolished the H3 receptor-mediated vascular response in pithed rats and attenuated the CB1 receptor-mediated cardiac response much more than pentobarbitone. The weaker effects of CB1, H3 and α2 receptor agonists cannot be explained by antagonism by urethane at the three receptors in vitro. Pentobarbitone, but not urethane, is suitable as an anaesthetic for investigations of inhibitory presynaptic receptor function in pithed and anaesthetized rats.