Rats were placed in an anaesthesia induction chamber and received isoflurane
anaesthesia (4% in a 1:1 N2O/O2 mixture). After loss of
consciousness, rats were intubated with a 16G cannula and were mechanically
ventilated (75 strokes/min, tidal volume of 4–6 mL). Subsequently, anaesthesia
was maintained using 1.5% isoflurane. A deep level of anaesthesia was verified
by lack of withdrawal reflex to hindpaw pinch. Surgery was performed using
sterilized tools and materials. The jugular vein was exposed and cannulated, and
remifentanil (Ultiva; GlaxoSmithKline, Vienna, Austria), dissolved in 0.9% NaCl,
was given as a bolus injection (30 μg/kg) followed by a 1 h infusion at a rate
of 450 μg/kg/h. Control rats were injected with 0.9% NaCl. Next, cannulation was
removed and the skin was sutured; 15 min later, anaesthesia and mechanical
ventilation were discontinued, and rats were extubated. Behavioural testing
recommenced 4 h after recovery from anaesthesia.
anaesthesia (4% in a 1:1 N2O/O2 mixture). After loss of
consciousness, rats were intubated with a 16G cannula and were mechanically
ventilated (75 strokes/min, tidal volume of 4–6 mL). Subsequently, anaesthesia
was maintained using 1.5% isoflurane. A deep level of anaesthesia was verified
by lack of withdrawal reflex to hindpaw pinch. Surgery was performed using
sterilized tools and materials. The jugular vein was exposed and cannulated, and
remifentanil (Ultiva; GlaxoSmithKline, Vienna, Austria), dissolved in 0.9% NaCl,
was given as a bolus injection (30 μg/kg) followed by a 1 h infusion at a rate
of 450 μg/kg/h. Control rats were injected with 0.9% NaCl. Next, cannulation was
removed and the skin was sutured; 15 min later, anaesthesia and mechanical
ventilation were discontinued, and rats were extubated. Behavioural testing
recommenced 4 h after recovery from anaesthesia.
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