AIM:To identify the effect of á 2-noradrenaline(NA) receptors agonist clon idine on the changes of somatosensory evoked potentials(
SEP) of N20 wave in rats under propofol
anesthesia. METHODS:Totally 20 adult male SD rats were divided randomly into 2 groups: in group A,the rats were infused intravenously with propofol at a rate of 10 mg/(k g· h) for 45 min and 60 mg/(kg· h) for 45 min in turn until the rats woke up; In group B,the rats were given clonidine 0.5 mg/kg intraperitoneally,at the same time infused intravenously with propofol the same as the group A.The latency an d amplitude of SEP N20 waves were quantified simultaneously before,during and aw ake from anesthesia. RESULTS:Compared with baselines, the latency of SEP N20 waves was unchanged i n the two groups; The amplitude of SEP N20 waves were unchanged in the group A, but were reduced significantly in the group B. CONCLUSION: The
changes of the amplitudes of SEP N20 waves induced by the á 2-NA receptor agonists under propofol anesthesia may be related with the analg esic effect of á 2-NA receptor.