Electro-acupuncture reduces the need for additional anesthetics in experimental studies

PURPOSE: To evaluate the possible beneficial effects of electro-acupuncture in rats subjected to ketamine/xylazine (KX) intra-peritoneal (i.p.) anesthesia. METHODS: Forty-eight male Wistar rats were distributed in four equal groups. All rats received i.p. injections of ketamine (90 mg/kg) +xylazine (10 mg/kg) anesthesia. Basal values group (control) rats (BV) received no additional treatment. The equivalent of the human right ST36 (Zusanli) and CV-12(Zhongwan) acupoints were chosen for needling and electrical stimulation. AC rats were needled with sterilized disposable stainless steel needles at right ST36 and CV12 acupoints; needles were retained for 30 minutes. EAC10 rats, after needle insertion as described, had electrodes connected to both needles and to an electro stimulator model NKL EL-608; pulsed square waves, 10 Hz, 10 mA, was applied for 30 minutes. EAC100 rats were submitted to EA as described. However, a greater frequency (100 Hz) was used. RESULTS: Thirty-seven rats remained under adequate anesthetic level during the experiment. However, maintenance anesthesia was required by 11 rats. Need for additional anesthesia decreased to 9.1% in EAC100 rats compared to BV (36.3%). CONCLUSION: Both the AC and the EAC10/100 prolong the anesthetic effect of the combination Ketamine-xylazine in rats, allowing longer duration of anesthesia with a lower dose of anesthetic, thereby reducing the occurrence of complications.

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Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Silva,Agamenon Honório, Prado Neto,Alberico Ximenes do, Guimarães,Sérgio Botelho
Format: Digital revista
Language:English
Published: Sociedade Brasileira para o Desenvolvimento da Pesquisa em Cirurgia 2010
Online Access:http://old.scielo.br/scielo.php?script=sci_arttext&pid=S0102-86502010000400015
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