IngentaConnect Mechanisms influencing the vasoactive effects of lidocaine in hum...

Authors: Newton, D. J.¹; McLeod, G. A.²; Khan, F.³; Belch, J. J. F.⁴

Source: Anaesthesia, Volume 62, Number 2, February 2007 , pp. 146-150(5)

Abstract:

Summary

The vasodilator properties of lidocaine are believed to be due mainly to the inhibition of action potentials via sodium channel blocking in vasoconstrictor sympathetic nerves. However, mechanisms involving the vascular endothelium may also play a role, and in this study we investigated the potential influences of nitric oxide release, the cyclo-oxygenase pathway and the β-adrenoceptors of vascular smooth muscle. Laser Doppler imaging was used to measure microvascular blood flow responses to intradermal injection of lidocaine 2%, with or without the addition of preservatives, in eight healthy, male volunteers. Co-injection of the nitric-oxide-synthase inhibitor Nω-nitro-l-arginine methyl ester caused a 60% reduction in the response after about 20 min, and this reduction was enhanced with the lidocaine solution containing the preservatives methylhydroxybenzoate and propylhydroxybenzoate. No reduction in response was seen after blocking the cyclo-oxygenase or β-adrenoceptor pathways. Nitric oxide release contributes to the vasoactivity of lidocaine in human skin.

Document Type: Research article

DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-2044.2006.04901.x

Affiliations: 1: Postdoctoral Research Fellow 2: Consultant Anaesthetist and Senior Lecturer, University Department of Anaesthesia, Ninewells Hospital and Medical School, Dundee DD1 9SY, UK 3: Senior Lecturer 4: Professor of Vascular Medicine, Vascular Diseases Research Unit, The Institute of Cardiovascular Research, Ninewells Hospital and Medical School

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Mechanisms influencing the vasoactive effects of lidocaine in human skin