Effects of intraperitoneal administration of gabapentin on the minimum alveolar concentration of isoflurane in adult male rats.

Gabapentin has been used to treat a variety of conditions in both human and veterinary medicine, including seizures, neuropathies and chronic pain. However, little information is known about the effects of gabapentin on the minimum alveolar concentration (MAC) of volatile anaesthetics. In this study, we investigated the effect of intraperitoneal administration of gabapentin on isoflurane MAC in adult male rats and hypothesized that gabapentin would decrease MAC in a dose-dependent manner. Using a standard MAC study protocol, we compared five treatment groups (G) receiving 0 (G(0)), 30 (G(30)), 100 (G(100)), 300 (G(300)) and 1000 (G(1000)) mg/kg gabapentin intraperitoneally and compared post-drug MAC values among groups and with corresponding baseline MAC values determined in each group prior to drug testing. The average baseline isoflurane MAC value was 1.45 ± 0.17%, which did not differ significantly between groups (1.47 ± 0.23% [G(30)], 1.46 ± 0.23% [G(100)], 1.48 ± 0.18% [G(300)] and 1.42 ± 0.2% [G(1000)]). In the G(300) and G(1000) groups, the isoflurane MAC value decreased significantly by 19% and 18%, respectively, from corresponding baseline values (P< 0.05, when compared with G(0)). Linear regression analysis revealed a negative correlation between blood gabapentin concentration and percent change in MAC (R(2) = 0.43; P< 0.05) but not dose. In conclusion, high-dose intraperitoneal gabapentin decreased isoflurane MAC. However, the effect was small and not dose-dependent, and is unlikely to be clinically significant.

Development of a standardised multidrug-resistant/extensively drug-resistant tuberculosis assessment and monitoring tool.

Multidrug-resistant (MDR) and extensively drug-resistant (XDR) tuberculosis (TB) threaten global TB control. The MDR/XDR-TB Assessment and Monitoring Tool was developed to standardise evaluations of country capacity to prevent, diagnose and treat MDR/XDR-TB and identify program gaps. It provides data to guide national plans, generates baseline data to measure progress, provides information for Green Light Committee (GLC) and Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria applications, guides technical assistance and informs donor investment. In field testing, the tool scoring system performed equally well in high- and low-prevalence settings. This GLC-endorsed tool supports global efforts to contain MDR/XDR-TB and is useful in developing national MDR/XDR-TB control strategies.