Respiratory depression produced by intravenously administered NBQX

Pharmacology. 1998 Jun;56(6):285-90. doi: 10.1159/000028211.

Abstract

To determine whether blockade of non-N-methyl-D-aspartate (non-NMDA) excitatory amino acid receptors affects breathing, we administered the non-NMDA receptor antagonist, 2,3-dihydroxy-6-nitro-7-sulfamoyl-benzo(F)quinoxaline (NBQX), to anesthetized cats while monitoring phrenic nerve discharge, blood pressure and heart rate. NBQX, 3 and 10 mg/kg, i.v., reduced phrenic amplitude 59 +/- 20% (n = 3) and 88 +/- 6% (n = 5), respectively, and decreased respiratory rate. Phrenic activity was completely silenced in 3 animals. These effects were accompanied by decreased blood pressure and heart rate. Our data indicate that NBQX, a competitive antagonist of non-NMDA receptors, is a powerful depressant of cardiorespiratory activity.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Apnea / chemically induced
  • Apnea / physiopathology
  • Atrial Function / drug effects
  • Atrial Function / physiology
  • Blood Pressure / drug effects
  • Blood Pressure / physiology
  • Cats
  • Dose-Response Relationship, Drug
  • Excitatory Amino Acid Antagonists / administration & dosage
  • Excitatory Amino Acid Antagonists / adverse effects*
  • Heart Rate / drug effects
  • Injections, Intravenous
  • Phrenic Nerve / drug effects
  • Phrenic Nerve / physiology
  • Quinoxalines / administration & dosage
  • Quinoxalines / adverse effects*
  • Respiratory Insufficiency / chemically induced*
  • Respiratory Physiological Phenomena / drug effects
  • Respiratory System / drug effects
  • Respiratory System / innervation

Substances

  • Excitatory Amino Acid Antagonists
  • Quinoxalines
  • 2,3-dioxo-6-nitro-7-sulfamoylbenzo(f)quinoxaline