Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 9, 2026

Assessing Changes in Volatile General Anesthetic Sensitivity of Mice after Local or Systemic Pharmacological Intervention
Published on: October 16, 2013
In vitro study of interactions between i.v. anaesthetics and neuromuscular blocking agents
Abstract:
The interactions of four anaesthetic drugs (ketamine, propanidid, Althesin and methohexitone) with two neuromuscular blocking agents (suxamethonium and pancuronium) have been investigated. On the isolated rat phrenic nerve-diaphragm preparation, all the anaesthetic drugs examined potentiated suxamethonium more than they potentiated pancuronium. The anticholinesterase agent, ecothiopate, had no significant effect on the potentiation of suxamethonium caused by the anaesthetic drugs. At low concentrations the anaesthetic drugs increased the twitch tension elicited by stimulation of the phrenic nerve, whilst at high concentrations this potentiation was followed by blockade of neuromuscular transmission. With the exception of Althesin, all the anaesthetics decreased the sensitivity of the frog rectus preparation to acetylcholine. The possible sites and mechanisms of these interactions are discussed.
Related Concept Videos
Nondepolarizing (Competitive) Neuromuscular Blockers: Mechanism of Action
Competitive antagonists prevent acetylcholine from binding to its receptor, inhibiting membrane depolarization. Without conformational changes or intrinsic...
Nondepolarizing (Competitive) Neuromuscular Blockers: Pharmacological Actions
Although all competitive neuromuscular blockers are designed...
Nondepolarizing (Competitive) Neuromuscular Blockers: Pharmacokinetics
Instead, they are transported by the blood to different tissues. Muscles with a greater blood supply (arteries) and blood flow receive more...
Depolarizing Blockers: Mechanism of Action
Succinylcholine is the most commonly used depolarizing blocker. Chemically, it constitutes two molecules of acetylcholine joined together by an acetate methyl group. They act on the receptors in the same way as acetylcholine. Because succinylcholine...
Depolarizing Blockers: Pharmocokinetics
Skeletal Muscle Relaxants: Therapeutic Uses

