Effect of intraoperative infusion of sufentanil versus remifentanil on postoperative shivering in Korea: a prospective, double-blinded, randomized control study

Background/aim: The number of published papers that compare the incidence of sufentanil- and remifentanil-related postoperative shivering is insufficient. We investigated the incidence of postoperative shivering after total intravenous anesthesia with either sufentanil or remifentanil in patients who underwent elective surgery. Materials and methods: Eighty-three patients, with a physical status classified as American Society of Anesthesiologists I or II, were randomly allocated to either the remifentanil­propofol (RP group, n = 40) or sufentanil­propofol (SP group, n = 43) group. The primary endpoint was the incidence of postoperative shivering 1 h after entering the recovery room. The secondary endpoints were intraoperative core temperatures of the esophagus and tympanic membrane at 30 min after the induction of anesthesia and at the end of surgery. Results: The overall postoperative shivering incidence was not significantly different between the RP (15%) and SP (11.6%) groups (P = 0.651). The intraoperative temperatures and their changes (the temperature 30 min after induction minus that after surgery) as measured at the distal esophagus and tympanic membrane were not significantly different between the RP and SP groups. Conclusion: The incidence of postoperative shivering related to sufentanil was less than that related to remifentanil, with no significant differences in the intraoperative core temperatures.

Nefopam downregulates autophagy and c-Jun N-terminal kinase activity in the regulation of neuropathic pain development following spinal nerve ligation.

BACKGROUND: Neurodegeneration is associated with changes in basal cellular function due to the dysregulation of autophagy. A recent study introduced the involvement of autophagy during spinal nerve ligation (SNL). Nefopam has shown potential for reducing neuropathic pain, but the underlying mechanisms are unknown. Here, we investigated the effects of nefopam on neuropathic pain development following SNL, focusing on the involvement of autophagy. METHODS: The functional role of nefopam in capsaicin-induced autophagy was assessed by human glioblastoma M059 K cells. The neuropathic pain model was used to determine whether the effect of nefopam on pain control was mediated through autophagy control. Neuropathic pain was induced by L5 and L6 SNL in male rats randomized into three groups: Group S (sham-operated), Group C (received normal saline), and Group E (received nefopam). A behavioral test using a von Frey was examined. Expression changes of autophagy in response to nefopam was analyzed in spinal cord tissues (L4-L6) by immunoblotting and immunohistochemistry. RESULTS: The paw withdrawal threshold examined on days 3, 5, 7, and 14 post-SNL was significantly higher in Group E than in Group C. SNL increased the levels of microtubule-associated protein 1 light chain 3B (LC3B-1), with concomitant reduction of sequestosome 1 (SQTSM1/p62), compared with Group S, indicating that SNL induced autophagy. These effects were reversed by nefopam injection, and the results were confirmed by immunohistochemistry for LC3-I/II. Furthermore, SNL-mediated JNK activation was markedly decreased following nefopam injection. Hematoxylin and eosin staining on Day 14 post-SNL revealed that SNL caused lymphocyte infiltration and oligodendrocyte localization in the substantia gelatinosa of the dorsal gray horn, which were reduced by nefopam injection. CONCLUSION: Collectively, the mode of action of nefopam on neuropathic pain appears to be associated with downregulation of phospho-JNK and autophagy, as well as modulation of the immune response.