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Updated: Feb 2, 2026

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Published on: August 23, 2022
Buprenorphine-Sustained Release Alters Hemodynamic Parameters in a Rat Burn Model
Ashley N Guillory1, Robert P Clayton2, Anesh Prasai3
1Shriners Hospitals for Children(®)-Galveston, Galveston, Texas; Department of Surgery, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, Texas; Institute for Translational Sciences, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, Texas.
Buprenorphine-SR significantly altered hemodynamic responses in a rat burn model, affecting blood pressure and heart rate. This suggests caution when using buprenorphine-SR in severe burn injury research.
Area of Science:
- Pharmacology
- Physiology
- Experimental Surgery
Background:
- Anesthesia and analgesia impact outcomes in rat burn models.
- Buprenorphine effectively manages pain without significantly altering key outcomes.
- Sustained-release (SR) buprenorphine is increasingly promoted over conventional formulations.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the effects of buprenorphine-SR on hemodynamic parameters in a rat model of severe burn injury.
- To compare the hemodynamic alterations induced by buprenorphine-SR versus conventional buprenorphine in burned rats.
Main Methods:
- Adult male Sprague-Dawley rats received either conventional buprenorphine or buprenorphine-SR.
- Animals were subjected to a scald burn (60% total body surface area) or served as controls.
- Noninvasive measurement of systolic blood pressure (SBP), diastolic blood pressure (DBP), and heart rate (HR) at baseline and 72 hours post-treatment.
Main Results:
- Heart rate (HR) increased significantly in burned animals irrespective of analgesic type.
- Burned rats receiving conventional buprenorphine showed significant decreases in SBP and DBP.
- Buprenorphine-SR-treated burned rats did not exhibit altered SBP or DBP, but control animals showed significant increases in SBP, DBP, and HR after 72 hours.
Conclusions:
- Buprenorphine-SR demonstrably alters hemodynamic responses to severe burn injury in rats.
- The use of buprenorphine-SR in this model may confound results, necessitating careful interpretation.
- Investigators should exercise caution when using buprenorphine-SR in experimental settings impacting cardiac hemodynamics.
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