Some Effects of Pentobarbital Anesthesia on Renal Hemodynamics, Water and Electrolyte Excretion in the Dog

¹ From the Department of Physiology, University of Oregon Medical School, Portland, Oregon

Studies were made on dogs to clarify the actions of pentobarbital anesthesia on renal function. The depression of renal function frequently observed when anesthesia is induced in animals hydrated with water or hypotonic saline solutions was confirmed. When the neurogenically and hormonally mediated components of the response to pentobarbital are respectively blocked by dihydrogenated ergot alkaloids and Pitressin infusion, pentobarbital anesthesia increases sodium excretion rather than decreasing it. Infusion of pentobarbital directly into the renal artery suggests that this natriuresis is caused by a toxic action of the anesthetic on the sodium reabsorptive process. Some inhibition of the glucose transport process has also been described.