The Effect of Ether Anesthesia on the Function of the Motor Endplate and on the Contractility of the Muscle Cell.

Publisher Website
Google Scholar
Abstract
Summary.: The effect of ether anesthesia on the motor endplate and on the contractility of the striated muscle cell is investigated. From the experimental results the following conclusions are drawn: Ether exhibits a considerable depressing effect on the function of the motor endplate. The effect is subject to individual variations. A concentration of ether, only slightly exceeding that corresponding to the cessation of respiration, usually produces a “complete curarization”. Even low, subnarcotic concentrations may ordinarily exert a distinct effect in the motor endplate, when a higher frequency of stimulation is used. A period of 30 to 45 minutes elapses before a maximal effect of a uniform administration of ether in the motor endplate is obtained. This is probably due to the slow transfer of ether from the blood to the muscle. The contractility of the muscle cells is slightly or not at all affected under ether anesthesia, when an average frequency of stimulation is used. With respect to the higher and lower frequencies a distinct inhibition occurs already at a stage corresponding to surgical anesthesia.The direct excitability of the muscle cells decreases somewhat during anesthesia. The latter effects are stronger than those of curare, compared with the effect of the two substances in the motor endplate. The myograms recorded under the influence of ether essentially remind of the corresponding myograms recorded during an increasing curarization. There is, however, some differences. By a co‐operation of ether and curare a potentiating effect of the substances in the motor endplate takes place. The slight differences of the curve forms and the potentiating effect indicate a somewhat different mechanism of action of ether and curare in the motor endplate.