ANTICONVULSIVE PROPERTIES OF PREGNANOLONE EMULSION COMPARED WITH ALTHESIN AND THIOPENTONE IN MICE

30 September 1988

journal article
research article
Published by Elsevier in British Journal of Anaesthesia

Vol. 61 (4) , 462-467
https://doi.org/10.1093/bja/61.4.462

Abstract

The anticonvulsive properties of pregnanolone (as an emulsion) were evaluated in mice and compared with similar properties of Althesin and thiopentone. Pregnanolone emulsion was found to antagonize convulsions induced by the GABA antagonists pentetrazole, bicuculline and picrotoxin and by the specific glycine receptor antagonist, strychnine. The drug was effective in all four convulsive tests at subanaesthetic doses with maximal activity appearing within less than 1 min. The anticonvulsive therapeutic indices of pregnanolone emulsion were superior when compared with the therapeutic indices of Althesin and thiopentone in all four tests. Pregnanolone emulsion might be a useful alternative drug in the management of convulsive states resistant to conventional therapy.

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