EFFECTS OF TRH AND ATROPINE ON INDUCTION AND DURATION OF ANESTHESIA WITH PROPOFOL IN RATS

The effects of IV TRH pretreatment on induction of anesthesia with pro pofol or pentobarbital were investigated in rats. The effects of IV TR H, administered after induction, on duration of propofol anesthesia an d the interaction with atropine were also studied. The doses of propof ol or pentobarbital were not influenced by TRH. TRH reduced duration o f anesthesia after propofol, with higher brain concentrations of propo fol at recovery. Atropine did not block this effect, but given alone p rolonged duration of anesthesia. It is concluded that TRH shortens the duration of propofol anesthesia, probably due to a pharmacodynamic ef fect and not to a pharmacokinetic interaction.