ABSTRACT
Background: Adjuvant analgesics are added to pain management regimen to reduce opioid consumption and minimise their side effect. Newer ones like dexmedetomidine and pregabalin have not been thoroughly researched. Objectives of the study to study the opioid sparing effect of dexmedetomidine and pregabalin using tail flick and hot plate method in male wistar rats.Methods: Forty two rats were grouped into seven groups with six in each group. Analgesic activity was tested using tail flick, where in the reaction time to flick its tail on a heated surface was noted. In the hot plate method, the reaction time to withdraw or lick the paws when placed on heated surface was noted.Results: The reaction time to flick its tail was prolonged with dexmedetomidine and pregabalin when combined with opioids even in sub therapeutic doses.Conclusion: Adjuncts like dexmedetomidine and pregabalin can be very useful in mutimodal pain management and also to reduce the opioid consumption.
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND & OBJECTIVE: Information on oxidative damage during sepsis in children is not available, we undertook this study to assess the levels of certain antioxidants in blood of children with sepsis. METHODS: Study group had 38 children with sepsis (<5 yr) and 39 age-and sex-matched controls admitted to a tertiary care hospital. Red cell glutathione (GSH), superoxide dismutase (SOD) and thiobarbituric acid reactive substance (TBARS) and plasma vitamin C were estimated by standard techniques. RESULTS: There was no significant change in erythrocyte GSH, SOD and TBARS levels in sepsis when compared to controls. This may be due to the adaptive response of the body to combat the oxidative stress. However, plasma vitamin C levels were significantly reduced in patients aged one year one month to five years which may be due to active phagocytosis and due to its role as a free radical scavenger. INTERPRETATION & CONCLUSION: Our findings show that children affected by sepsis probably adapt to the free radical toxicity induced by this condition. Further studies need to be done on a larger sample to confirm the findings.