Local anesthetics inhibit Ca-ATPase in masticatory muscles

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G A Sánchez1, D Takara, G L Alonso

  • 1Biophysics Department, Faculty of Dentistry, University of Buenos Aires, MT de Alvear 2142, C1122AAH, Buenos Aires, Argentina. gabriel@odon.uba.ar

Journal of Dental Research
|February 19, 2010
PubMed

Insights

Local anesthetics like lidocaine increase muscle calcium by affecting Ca-ATPase, potentially causing masticatory muscle rigidity. This study clarifies their impact on jaw muscles.

Area of Science:

  • Biochemistry
  • Muscle Physiology
  • Pharmacology

Background:

  • Local anesthetics can cause myotoxicity and affect calcium regulation in skeletal muscles.
  • The specific effects of local anesthetics on masticatory muscles remain incompletely understood.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the hypothesis that local anesthetics increase myoplasmic calcium in masticatory muscles.
  • To determine if lidocaine and bupivacaine inhibit Ca-ATPase activity and calcium transport at concentrations relevant to dental use.

Main Methods:

  • Utilized radioisotopic and colorimetric assays to assess the effects of lidocaine and bupivacaine on Ca-ATPase from rabbit masseter and medial pterygoid muscles.
  • Examined the impact of anesthetics on calcium binding, transport, and enzyme phosphorylation.

Main Results:

  • Both lidocaine and bupivacaine affected Ca-ATPase activity and calcium transport in masticatory muscles.
  • Bupivacaine showed similar effects on Ca-ATPase activity but less impact on calcium transport compared to lidocaine.
  • Anesthetic pre-exposure enhanced Ca-ATPase activity, indicating a permeabilizing effect on muscle membranes.

Conclusions:

  • Amide-type local anesthetics do not inhibit calcium binding but reduce calcium transport and ATP-dependent enzyme phosphorylation.
  • The increase in myoplasmic calcium induced by lidocaine and bupivacaine may contribute to masticatory muscle contraction and rigidity.

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