Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 31, 2026
08:49
Assessing Changes in Volatile General Anesthetic Sensitivity of Mice after Local or Systemic Pharmacological Intervention
Published on: October 16, 2013
β-endorphin immunoreactivity during anaesthesia in equidae.
P M Taylor1, Spl Luna2, A Dye3
1Department of Clinical Veterinary Medicine, University of Cambridge, UK.
Veterinary Anaesthesia and Analgesia
|April 14, 2017
Summary
Anesthesia and surgery significantly increase plasma beta-endorphin immunoreactivity (BEI) in horses, indicating a stress response. Halothane and hypoxia caused greater BEI increases than pentobarbitone anesthesia.
Area of Science:
- Equine Anesthesiology
- Endocrinology
- Veterinary Pharmacology
Background:
- Plasma beta-endorphin immunoreactivity (BEI) is a marker of the endocrine stress response.
- Understanding BEI fluctuations during anesthesia is crucial for equine welfare.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the impact of anesthesia, hypoxia, hypercapnia, and flunixin on plasma BEI in horses.
- To assess the role of surgical stress on BEI levels in equine anesthesia.
Main Methods:
- Prospective crossover study involving ponies and horses.
- Horses underwent anesthesia with guaifenesin, thiopentone, and halothane, or surgery.
- Plasma samples analyzed for BEI using radio-immunoassay; statistical analysis via ANOVA.
Main Results:
- Anesthesia induction increased plasma BEI 5-10 fold, except in the hypercapnia group.
- Halothane anesthesia elevated BEI; pentobarbitone anesthesia did not significantly alter BEI.
- Hypoxia and surgery induced the highest BEI levels, suggesting significant physiological stress.
Conclusions:
- Beta-endorphin is a sensitive indicator of endocrine stress during equine anesthesia.
- The precise physiological role of BEI during equine anesthesia remains to be elucidated.
More Related Videos
Related Concept Videos
01:11Local Anesthetics: Clinical Application as Spinal Anesthesia
Spinal anesthetics are given during lower abdomen and limb surgeries to block sensory and motor neurons. They are administered in the mid to low lumbar regions, primarily acting on the cauda equina's nerve roots. The blockade level depends on the local anesthetic (LA) concentration. Usually, low LA concentrations are sufficient to block sensory fibers, while only high LA concentrations block motor fibers. Other factors like injection volume and speed, the patient's posture, and the drug...
01:24Parenteral Anesthetics: Overview
Intravenous anesthetics are drugs administered parenterally to induce anesthesia or sedation. Propofol is a widely used agent formulated as a 1% emulsion in soybean oil, glycerol, and egg phosphatide. It induces rapid anesthesia primarily due to its rapid distribution from the bloodstream to target tissues and is metabolized in the liver. However, it can cause significant pain on injection and hypertriglyceridemia. Fospropofol, a water-based prodrug of propofol, lacks these adverse effects.