[Effect of flumazenil on hypoglossal and phrenic nerves activities in rabbits].

Background: Upper airway obstruction and inadequate ventilation often arise during sedation and anesthesia by benzodiazepines (Bz). Flumazenil antagonizes these effects of active benzodiazepines on the central nervous system. To estimate the influence of flumazenil on the endogenous Bz system related respiratory control, we studied the effect of flumazenil and diazepam on the neural activity and the respiratory response caused by a brief (60 sec) respiratory arrest (RA) manifested in the hypoglossal nerve (HG) and the phrenic nerve (PH) activities in rabbits.

[How do diazepam and flumazenil influence respiratory control by the activities of both hypoglossal and phrenic nerves in rabbits?].

Background: Upper airway obstruction and inadequate ventilation often arise during sedation and anesthesia by benzodiazepines. To estimate the influence of benzodiazepines on the respiratory control, we studied the effect of diazepam and flumazenil on the neural activity and the respiratory response caused by a brief (60 sec) respiratory arrest (RA) observed in the hypoglossal nerve (HG) and phrenic nerve (PH) in rabbits.

Methods: Experiments were preformed on adult rabbits vagotomized, paralyzed and ventilated artificially with 50% N2O, 50% oxygen and 0.