Anesthetic drugs modulate feeding behavior and hypothalamic expression of the POMC polypeptide precursor and the NPY neuropeptide.

BACKGROUND: Several hypnotic drugs have been previously identified as modulators of food intake, but exact mechanisms remain unknown. Feeding behavior implicates several neuronal populations in the hypothalamic arcuate nucleus including orexigenic neuropeptide Y and anorexigenic pro-opiomelanocortin producing neurons. The aim of this study was to investigate in mice the impact of different hypnotic drugs on food consumption and neuropeptide Y or pro-opiomelanocortine mRNA expression level in the hypothalamic arcuate nucleus. METHODS: Saline control, isoflurane, thiopental, midazolam or propofol were administered to C57Bl/6 mice. Feeding behavior was evaluated during 6 h. In situ hybridization of neuropeptide Y and pro-opiomelanocortine mRNAs in the hypothalamus brain region was also performed. Data were analyzed by Kruskal Wallis test and analysis of variance (p < 0.05). RESULTS: Midazolam, thiopental and propofol induced feeding behavior. Midazolam and thiopental increased neuropeptide Y mRNA level (respectively by 106 and 125%, p < 0.001) compared with control. Propofol and midazolam decreased pro-opiomelanocortine mRNA level by 31% (p < 0,01) compared with control. Isoflurane increased pro-opiomelanocortine mRNA level by 40% compared with control. CONCLUSION: In our murine model, most hypnotics induced food consumption. The hypnotic-induced regulation of neuropeptide Y and pro-opiomelanocortine hypothalamic peptides is associated with this finding. Our data suggest that administration of some hypnotic drugs may affect hypothalamic peptide precursor and neuropeptide expression and concomittantly modulate food intake. Thus, this questions the choice of anesthetics for better care management of patients undergoing major surgery or at risk of undernutrition.

[Interaction between hypnotic agents and the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenocorticotropic axis during surgery]. / Modulation de l'axe hypothalamo-hypophyso-surrénalien par l'utilisation des agents hypnotiques dans le contexte chirurgical.

During stress, the relationship between the central nervous system and the immune system is essential to maintain homeostasis. The main neuroendocrine system involved in this interaction is the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis (HPA), which via the synthesis of glucocorticoids will modulate the intensity of the inflammatory response. Anaesthetic agents could be interacting with the HPA axis during surgery. Although etomidate currently remains in the center of the discussions, it seems, at least experimentally, that most hypnotics have the capacity to modulate the synthesis of adrenal steroids. Nevertheless, with the large literature on this subject, etomidate seems to be the most deleterious hypnotic agent on the HPA axis function. Its use should be limited when HPA axis is already altered.

[Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation support for tako-tsubo syndrome after urgent caesarean section]. / Assistance par extracorporeal membrane oxygenation au cours d'un syndrome de tako-tsubo après césarienne en urgence.

Tako-tsubo syndrome is a rare cardiomyopathy secondary to catecholamine toxicity responsible of myocardial stunning. Severe complications such as cardiogenic shock or ventricular arrhythmia can occur. We presented the case of a 32-year-old woman victim of a tako-tsubo syndrome with severe cardiogenic shock during surgical procedure for urgent caesarean section. After refractory haemodynamic failure, the patient benefits from extracorporeal membrane oxygenation support device with success.

[Dental trauma and anaesthesiology: epidemiology and insurance-related impact over 4 years in Rouen teaching hospital]. / Lésions dentaires et anesthésie : épidémiologie et impact assurantiel sur quatre années au CHU de Rouen.

OBJECTIVES: Dental injuries are the first cause of sinistrality in anaesthesiology. However, few insurance-related data are available concerning the publicly-owned establishments, in particular on the cost of the complaints deposited. We studied the epidemiology of dental trauma in a teaching hospital and brought it closer to the induced insurance-related costs. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We conducted a retrospective study, examining the files of declaration of dental trauma, from January 2005 to December 2008. The litigations for dental injuries treated by Quality and Services Department were also analysed. RESULTS: Seventy-two cases of dental lesions were declared, i.e. 1/1528 general anaesthesias. Concerning the risk factors of lesion, 47 patients (65%) presented bad dental conditions identified during the pre-anaesthetic consultation; 27 patients (37%) had criteria for difficult intubation listed on the sheet of anaesthesia. The association of the 2 factors was found among 20 patients. The indication of information to the patient on the dental risk was registered on the sheet of anaesthesia in 17% of cases. The Quality and Services Department recorded 23 complaints for dental trauma over the period. In 4 cases the complaint was followed by a compensation for an average amount equal to 608 (256-1002) Euros, i.e., a total cost of 2434 Euros. CONCLUSIONS: The two main risk factors of dental lesion are well identified with the consultation of anaesthesia and are noted on the file. However, information to the patient on this risk is seldom notified. The incidence of dental lesions is important, but few complaints open right to financial repair for a very low insurance-related total amount.