Methylnaltrexone, a new peripheral mu-receptor antagonist for the prevention and treatment of opioid-induced extracerebral side effects.

Progenics Pharmaceuticals Inc and Wyeth Pharmaceuticals are developing methylnaltrexone, a micro-receptor opioid antagonist derived from naltrexone by the addition of a methyl group. The intravenous formulation of methylnaltrexone is currently in phase III clinical trials for the potential treatment of postoperative ileus.

Halogenated inhalational anaesthetics.

The halogenated inhalational anaesthetics halothane, enflurane, isoflurane and desflurane can produce metabolic hepatocellular injury in humans to a variable extent. During metabolism of these anaesthetics, tissue acetylation occurs due to the formation of reactive intermediates. Proteins modified by acetylation may constitute neo-antigens with a potential for triggering an antibody-mediated immune response.

Sevoflurane but not isoflurane can reduce prostacyclin production of endothelial cells.

Background And Objective: Little is known about the interaction of newer volatile anaesthetics with endothelial eicosanoid production. Sevoflurane may possibly reduce prostacyclin formation. Thus, we compared the influences of sevoflurane and isoflurane on endothelial prostacyclin production.

Low-flow sevoflurane compared with low-flow isoflurane anesthesia in patients with stable renal insufficiency.

Background: Sevoflurane is degraded to compound A (CpA) by carbon dioxide absorbents containing strong base. CpA is nephrotoxic in rats. Patient exposure to CpA is increased with low fresh gas flow rates, use of Baralyme, and high sevoflurane concentrations.