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Effect of nitrous oxide on human skeletal muscle function
O Eiken1, P A Tesch, I B Mejkavic
1Department of Clinical Physiology, Karolinska Institute, Huddinge Hospital, Sweden.
Acta Anaesthesiologica Scandinavica
|April 1, 1996
Summary
Breathing 35% nitrous oxide (N2O) slightly reduces quadriceps muscle strength and speed during contractions. This minor impairment in muscle function is unlikely to be clinically significant during childbirth.
Area of Science:
- Physiology
- Neuromuscular Function
Background:
- Nitrous oxide (N2O) is frequently used during labor and delivery.
- Labor involves significant voluntary muscle exertion, particularly in the quadriceps femoris.
- The impact of N2O on muscle performance during such activities is not fully understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the effect of a subanesthetic dose of nitrous oxide (N2O) on the force-velocity relationship of the quadriceps femoris muscle.
Main Methods:
- Nine healthy participants underwent maximal voluntary muscle action tests.
- Muscle performance was assessed while breathing either air or a 35% N2O gas mixture.
- Peak torque and maximal angular velocity of knee extensors were measured during various contraction types (concentric, eccentric, isometric).
Main Results:
- Nitrous oxide (35%) significantly decreased peak torque across all tested angular velocities.
- A statistically significant reduction of 4.8% in peak torque was observed.
- Maximal angular velocity also decreased by 5.7% with N2O administration.
Conclusions:
- A subanesthetic dose of nitrous oxide (35%) causes a minor, statistically significant impairment in quadriceps muscle function.
- The observed reduction in muscle force and velocity is likely of minimal clinical relevance in obstetric practice.