Spinal and supraspinal midazolam potentiates antinociceptive effects of isoflurane

The effects of lumbar intrathecal (i.t.) and intracerebroventricular (i.c.v.) midazolam on nociception during isoflurane anaesthesia were studied in rats using the tail-flick test. Rats received i.t. midazolam 2 and 4 microg or i.c.v. midazolam 4 and 8 microg during 1.1, 1.2 and 1.3% isoflurane or without isoflurane. Neither i.t. nor i.c.v. midazolam alone at doses studied influenced nociceptive responses. 1.1% isoflurane showed a minimum antinociceptive effect which was not influenced by i.t. or i.c.v. midazolam. 1.2 and 1.3% isoflurane produced moderate antinociception which was markedly potentiated by both i.t. and i.c.v. midazolam. The effects of midazolam shown in the present study are different from the reported effects of midazolam on opioid-induced antinociception; where spinally administered midazolam potentiates and supraspinal midazolam inhibits the antinociceptive effects of morphine. The present results suggest that midazolam potentiates isoflurane-induced antinociception at doses where no effect is seen alone.