Macro- and microvascular effects of nitrous oxide in the rat

The aims of this study were: (1) to determine the macro- and microvascular actions of nitrous oxide (N2O) in the rat, and (2) to determine whether the vascular actions of N2O involved specific interaction with alpha-adrenergic receptors or opioid receptors. Systolic blood pressure, heart rat, total tail blood flow, blood cell velocity in subepidermal capillaries of the tail, and percentage of capillaries exhibiting flow were monitored in conscious rats during the administration of N2O before and after administration of clonidine (an alpha 2-adrenergic agonist), prazosin (an alpha 1-adrenergic antagonist) or naloxone (an opioid antagonist). Total tail blood flow increased significantly in a dose-dependent manner with N2O at 20% and 40% with oxygen. This action of N2O was not blocked by clonidine, prazosin, or naloxone. Capillary flow velocity increased during 20% and 40% N2O compared to 100% O2, but the changes were not statistically significant nor did they correlate with the changes in tail blood flow. These data suggest that the peripheral vascular action of N2O does not involve specific actions at alpha-adrenergic receptors or opioid receptors and may be the result of direct actions on the peripheral vasculature.