Direct comparative effects of isoflurane and desflurane on sympathetic ganglionic transmission.

Although the sympathetic ganglion is an important site of peripheral regulation, few studies have examined the effect of anesthetics on synaptic transmission. In the present study we compared the actions of desflurane with those of isoflurane on synaptic transmission and neurotransmitter release in the stellate ganglion. In the electrophysiologic group, 14 stellate ganglia were isolated from adult mongrel dogs after halothane anesthesia, desheathed, and superfused with Krebs' solution.

Apparent focal motor seizure with a jacksonian march induced by fentanyl: a case report and review of the literature.

This report describes an unusual presentation of focal motor activity resembling Jacksonian march, which developed during fentanyl induction of general anesthesia. Simultaneous spectral-edge activity recording of electroencephalography (EEG) failed to show evidence of an epileptic focus. A negative history of previous seizures, as well as failure to show postoperative postictal symptoms or seizure activity by 16-lead EEG, suggested a myoclonic rather than epileptic nature of the observed muscle activity.

Presynaptic modulation of ganglionic ACh release by muscarinic and nicotinic receptors.

The present experiments were undertaken to investigate the effects of atropine and d-tubocurarine on acetylcholine (ACh) release and ganglionic synaptic transmission in the isolated cat stellate ganglion. Ganglionic release of picomole amounts of ACh was measured by radioenzymatic assay, and ganglionic transmission was estimated on the basis of the compound action potential recorded from the postganglionic stellate cardiac nerve. Atropine (5 microM) produced a significant increase in both spontaneous and evoked ACh release from the ganglion while depressing synaptic transmission.

Decreased cyclic guanosine 3',5' monophosphate and guanylate cyclase activity in leprechaunism: evidence for a postreceptor defect.

Patients with leprechaunism have hyperinsulinemia and extreme insulin resistance. The mechanism of the insulin resistance has not been delineated. To examine postreceptor events in this unusual syndrome we have assayed the enzyme guanylate cyclase [E.