The effect of intra-arterial papaverine on ECoG activity in the ketamine anesthetized rat

Neurosci Lett. 2008 Nov 7;445(1):58-61. doi: 10.1016/j.neulet.2008.08.071. Epub 2008 Aug 31.

Abstract

The opium alkaloid papaverine (PPV) causes vasodilatation of the cerebral arteries through direct action on smooth muscle that reduces the constriction of smooth muscle. Intra-arterial papaverine (IAP) has been used widely to increase the regional cerebral blood flow in order to reverse the cerebral vasospasm that occurs during endovascular procedures. IAP-induced seizures have been reported, although PPV has anticonvulsive effects. This study determined the effects of IAP on electrocorticography (ECoG) in the ketamine anesthetized rats. We used 24 Sprague-Dawley male rats weighing 200-250 g. The animals were divided randomly into four groups: three treatment groups (groups 1-3) and a control (group 4). Groups 1, 2, and 3 were given 1, 7, and 14 mg/kg IAP, respectively. The ECoG was compared across groups. Our results indicated that IAP did not cause seizures and that it decreased the frequency of ketamine-induced epileptiform activity in the 14 mg/kg group.

MeSH terms

  • Analgesics / pharmacology*
  • Animals
  • Dose-Response Relationship, Drug
  • Electroencephalography / methods*
  • Frontal Lobe / drug effects*
  • Frontal Lobe / physiology
  • Injections, Intra-Arterial / methods
  • Ketamine / pharmacology*
  • Male
  • Papaverine / pharmacology*
  • Random Allocation
  • Rats
  • Rats, Sprague-Dawley
  • Time Factors
  • Vasodilator Agents / pharmacology*

Substances

  • Analgesics
  • Vasodilator Agents
  • Ketamine
  • Papaverine