Anesthetic effect of phenobarbital sodium on female BALB/c mice

Objective:Anesthetics are of great importance in avoiding severe pain and suffering in animals and ensuring experimental progress.This study was aimed at elucidating the anesthesia score of phenobarbital sodium as a general anesthetic at different concentrations and doses in BALB/c mice,and finding the suitable anesthesia strategies for experimental surgeries.Methods:Phenobarbital sodium was administrated intraperitoneally at the doses of 75,100,125,150,and 200 mg/kg and randomly in different concentrations(2%,5%,and 10%)to female BALB/c mice.The anesthesia score was evaluated based on the stimulus index including tail-pinch,front and hind limb withdrawal,and eyelid reflexes.The speed and duration of anesthesia in different groups were recorded per the occurrence and duration of the righting reflex.Results:The anesthetic effect of phenobarbital sodium on female BALB/c mice showed an obvious dose-dependency.Respiratory suppression caused by high-dose anesthesia may lead to mouse death.Based on the anesthesia score,when the phenobarbital sodium treatment was greater than or equal to five percent or 200 mg/kg,more than 80%mice meet the anesthesia depth that surgical operation needed.The rates of achieving surgical anesthesia depth(standard-reaching rate)in mice treated with 2%sodium phenobarbital were 0%in the 75 mg/kg group,0%in the 100 mg/kg group,50%in the 125 mg/kg group,66.7%in the 150 mg/kg group,and 100%in the 200 mg/kg group.The standard-reaching rate of mice treated with 5%concentration of phenobarbital sodium were:0%in the 75 mg/kg group,0%in the 100 mg/kg group,83.33%in the 125 mg/kg group,100%in the 150 mg/kg group,and 100%in the 200 mg/kg group.The standard-reaching rate of mice treated with 10%concentration of phenobarbital sodium were:50%in the 75 mg/kg group,66.7%in the 100 mg/kg group,100%in the 125 mg/kg group,100%in the 150mg/kg group,and 100%in the 200 mg/kg group.Sedation and hypnosis were induced in the low-concentration dose group,and anesthesia was induced in the high-concentration dose group.In the 5%and 125 mg/kg phenobarbital sodium groups,the mortality rate of mice was 0,the anesthesia induction time was(35.5±7.92)minutes,and the anesthesia duration was(106±39.59)minutes.In the 5%and 150 mg/kg phenobarbital sodium groups,the mortality rate of mice was 0,the anesthesia induction time was(34.83±5.27)minutes,and the anesthesia duration was(131.7±36.75)minutes.Conclusion:Phenobarbital sodium alone can provide appropriate general anesthesia in female BALB/c mice.Both the concentration and dose of phenobarbital sodium can affect the anesthetic effect.On the basis of our findings,we recommend the 5%and 125 mg/kg and 5%and 150 mg/kg concentration–dose combinations of phenobarbital sodium for anesthetizing mice according to the surgical requirement.

Influence of Phenobarbital and Carbon tetrachloride on the Modulation of Tissue Retention Profile of Hexachlorocyclohexane in Rats

The study was designed to investigate the role of hepatic metabolic activity on body burden of HCH residue. Male albino rats were orally administered 0, 5, and 10 mg/kg HCH for 90 days, followed by either sodium phenobarbital or carbon tetrachloride treatment for 0, 15 and 30 days after withdrawal of their respective HCH administration. The liver weight was significantly increased at 30 days after the administration of phenobarbital and carbon tetrachloride in both 5 mg and 10 mg/kg HCH withdrawal groups when compared to control. HCH residue was maximun in fat followed by adrenal>thymus>liver>kidney>spleen>testes>brain>plasma. Carbon tetrachloride caused an accumul-ation of HCH residues in the liver 15 and 30 days after administration of both doses of HCH. Phenobarbital did not show significant variation in HCH residues in hepatic tissue. Phenobarbital treatment caused significant induction of hepatic RED, APD, AHH, GST and QR activities. Significant decreases in activities were observed by carbon tetrachloride when compared to animals treated with HCH alone. The overall results clearly suggest the role of P450 protein on the body burden of HCH residues.