Journal of Anesthesiology

2017; 5(3): 19-23

http://www.sciencepublishinggroup.com/j/ja
doi: 10.11648/j.ja.20170503.11
ISSN: 2376-7766(Print); ISSN: 2376-7774(Online)

Modulatory Effect of Ascorbic Acid on Propofol-Induced

Anaesthesia in Goats
1, * 2 2
Veronica Inyamu Ochigbo , Joseph Olusegun Ayo , Tagang Aluwong
1
Department of Physiology, Pharmacology and Biochemistry, University of Agriculture, Makurdi, Nigeria
2
Department of Veterinary Physiology, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, Nigeria

Email address:
[email protected] (V. I. Ochigbo), [email protected] (J. O. Ayo), [email protected] (T. Aluwong)
*
Corresponding author

To cite this article:

Veronica Inyamu Ochigbo, Joseph Olusegun Ayo, Tagang Aluwong. Modulatory Effect of Ascorbic Acid on Propofol-Induced
Anaesthesia in Goats. Journal of Anesthesiology. Vol. 5, No. 3, 2017, pp. 19-23. doi: 10.11648/j.ja.20170503.11

Received: May 15, 2017; Accepted: May 25, 2017; Published: July 17, 2017

Abstract: Ascorbic acid modulates the central nervous system either physiologically or pharmacologically, and has been
proposed to function as a neuromodulator. The effect of ascorbic acid (AA, vitamin C) on some physiological parameters,
onset and duration of anaesthesia following propofol anaesthesia was evaluated in goats. A total of 24 goats divided into four
groups, comprising five goats each in groups I and II, and seven goats each in groups III and IV were used for the experiment.
Groups I and II served as control for AA (200 mg/kg) and propofol (5 mg/kg) intravenous treatments, respectively; while
groups III and IV received AA at 200 mg/kg and 300 mg/kg, respectively before propofol anaesthesia. The result showed that
AA significantly (P < 0.05) decreased the onset of anaesthesia and increased the duration of propofol anaesthesia in goats. AA
(300 mg/kg) induced a decrease (P < 0.05) in respiratory rate during anaesthesia, but there were no significant changes in heart
rate and rectal temperature in the groups. In conclusion, AA potentiated the effect of propofol – induced anaesthesia in goats
without alteration in heart rate and rectal temperature.

Keywords: Propofol, Ascorbic Acid, Goat, Physiological Parameters, General

Anaesthesia

propofol may replace α-tocopherol (vitamin E) as an

1. Introduction antioxidant [8] as it chemically resembles α- tocopherol
Anaesthesia is seldom accomplished by a single drug which also has a phenolic hydroxyl group. It was shown that
because no single drug is able to provide all components of introducing propofol into α-tocopherol–depleted microsomes,
anaesthesia without seriously compromising haemodynamic restores the GSH-dependent protection. Thus, propofol is a
and/or respiratory function, reducing operating conditions or potent inhibitor of lipid peroxidation [10].
delaying postoperative recovery [1]. Propofol is a popular Ascorbic acid (AA) is a water-soluble micronutrient
intravenous (IV) anaesthetic drug, used for induction and required for multiple biological functions [11]. All known
maintenance of general anaesthesia owing to its rapid onset physiological and biochemical actions of AA are due to its
and short duration [2]. The rapid onset, short duration of action as an electron donor or a reducing agent [12, 13]. AA
action and with rapid recoveries makes propofol useful in acts as a potent water-soluble antioxidant in biological fluids
ruminants, in which these features are particularly desirable by scavenging physiologically relevant reactive oxygen
[3]. Reports on the use of propofol for induction and species and reactive nitrogen species [14]. Reports on the
maintenance of anaesthesia have indicated its suitability in influence of AA on xylazine anaesthesia [15] and ketamine
goats [4-6] and even sheep [7]; where it was used at 4 mg/kg, anaesthesia in rabbits [16] showed that the vitamin
but with halothane as maintenance and acepromazine as pre- potentiates anaesthesia. Ketamine-xylazine combination in
medication in goats and sheep, respectively. Propofol rats has also been demonstrated to improve anaesthesia in
contains a phenolic O-H group [8], and many polyphenols this species, when given in combination with AA [17]. AA
have antioxidant properties [9]. It has been reported that modulates the central nervous system either physiologically
or pharmacologically, and high amount exerts similar
20 Veronica Inyamu Ochigbo et al.: Modulatory Effect of Ascorbic Acid on Propofol-Induced Anaesthesia in
20 Goats
 Journal of Anesthesiology 2017; 5(3): 19- 21
23 21
physiological effects as amphetamine in the central nervous propofol (Dipirivan; AstraZeneca, Place Renault, Milano,
system [16]. Ascorbate has been proposed to function as a Italy. 1% Emulsion) intravenously at a dose rate of 5 mg/kg,
neuromodulator of both dopamine and glutamate- group III was given a combination of propofol (5 mg/kg) and
mediated neurotransmission [18, 19]. Its plasma AA, at a dose rate of 200 mg/kg; and group IV was
concentrations are tightly controlled when the vitamin is administered with AA at a dose rate of 300 mg/kg and
taken orally, even at the highest tolerated amounts [20]. By propofol (5 mg/kg). AA was administered 30 seconds before
contrast, intravenous administration bypasses tight control propofol injection. The time of administration of the agent
and results in concentrations as much as 70-fold higher than was recorded. The physiological parameters were recorded
those achieved by maximum oral consumption. Most of the for each group before, during and after the treatment. The
positive effects of ascorbate follow its parenteral onset and duration of anaesthesia in each group were
administration because much higher effective doses can be observed and recorded. Onset of anaesthesia was evident by
given by this route compared to oral administration [21]. the loss of external stimuli. The respiratory rate, heart rate
The role of AA in modulating general anaesthesia is not and the rectal temperature were measured using standard
completely understood. It has been suggested that the vitamin methods [23]. The readings were taken before induction of
plays a role in diethyl ether-induced anaesthesia [17]. Since anaesthesia, and continued throughout the induction period
then, very few works have been done and no real for every 5 minutes until full recovery was attained.
attempts have been made to investigate its interaction with
the modern anaesthetic agents. Although, the effects of 2.3. Statistical Analysis
stress and anaesthesia may predispose the animal to
Values obtained are expressed as mean ± SEM. Data were
cardio-respiratory arrests, the administration of AA may
analyzed using one-way analysis of variance with Tukey’s
reduce the cost and dose of anaesthetics required for general
multiple comparison post-hoc test using GraphPad prism
anaesthesia and minimise the risk to the patient’s health
version 4.0 (from GraphPad Software, San Diego, California,
[15].
U.S.A.). Values of P < 0.05 were considered significant.
The aim of this study was to determine the role of AA in
modulating propofol anaesthesia in goats.
3. Results
2. Materials and Methods 3.1. Effect of Ascorbic Acid Administration on Onset and
Duration of Anaesthesia
2.1. Experimental
Animals There was a significant decrease in the onset of
anaesthesia of goats in group IV when compared to that of
Twenty four, apparently, healthy Red Sokoto goats aged 1-
group II or group III goats (Table 1). Goats that received AA
2 years and weighing between 12 -20 kg were used in the
alone were not anaesthetised while administration of 200
study. The animals were randomly divided into four
mg/kg and 300 mg/kg AA before propofol injection induced
experimental groups (I - IV). They were housed in a goat pen
anaesthesia; with the onset time of 2.57 ± 0.30 seconds and
at the Department of Physiology, Faculty of Veterinary
2.00 ± 0.22 seconds, respectively. The duration of propofol
Medicine, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, Nigeria. The
anaesthesia was significantly higher in animals of group IV
goats were pre-conditioned for a period of four weeks before
compared to that of group II or group III animals.
the commencement of the experiment, during which
The duration of anaesthesia after treatment with propofol
prophylactic treatment was carried out with anthelmintic
alone was 10.60 ± 4.42 minutes. The administration of 200
using albendazole orally at a dose rate of 7.5 mg/kg, and the
mg/kg and 300 mg/kg AA prior to propofol injection induced
topical ectoparasiticide, cypermetrin administered to the
anaesthesia with a longer duration significantly different
goats at the dose rate of 1 ml/kg. The goats were given access
from that of animals on anaesthetic agent alone (Table 1).
to hay, groundnut hops, beans stalk and water ad
libitum throughout the study period, except during the Table 1. Effect of ascorbic acid and Propofol on onset and duration
induction of anaesthesia. The procedures used in the present of anaesthesia in goats (Mean ± SEM).
study follow the guiding principle for the care and use of
animals in research [22] and declaration of Helsinki.
Onset of anaesthesia Duration of anaesthesia
2.2. Experimental Design Groups n
(Seconds) (Minutes)
Before induction of anaesthesia, feed and water were Group I 5 Not applicable Not applicable
Group II 5 4.60 ± 0.68a 10.60 ± 4.42a
withdrawn from the animals for 24 hours and 12 hours, Group III 7 2.57 ± 0.30
b
15.29 ± 1.19
a

respectively. Baseline rectal temperature, respiratory rate and Group IV 7 2.00 ± 0.22
b
27.29 ± 4.11
b

heart rate were taken in all the groups before the

Group I = Ascorbic acid (200 mg/kg); Group II = Propofol (5 mg/kg); Group
commencement of induction. Group I animals were given
III = Ascorbic acid at 200 mg/kg and Propofol at 5 mg/kg; Group IV =
AA (Philo VC; Greenfield Pharmaceutical Jiang Su, China) Ascorbic acid at 300 mg/kg and Propofol at 5 mg/kg.
intravenously at a dose rate of 200 mg/kg. The intravenous a,b
= Means with different superscript letters are statistically significant (P <
administration of drugs was done using the jugular vein with 0.05).
21 gauge needles. Group II animals were administered with
3.2. Effect of Ascorbic Acid Administration on rectal temperature in the goats significantly. Propofol when
Physiological Parameters with Propofol Anaesthesia given alone did not cause significant changes in the rectal
temperature during or after anaesthesia of the goats.
There were no significant changes in heart rate of goats
Administration of AA at both doses before propofol
following administration of AA alone. Administration of
anaesthesia also did not significantly alter the rectal
propofol alone did not significantly alter the heart rate of
temperature of the goats (Table 4).
goats during anaesthesia; neither did the administration of
both AA and propofol (Table 2).
4. Discussion
Table 2. Mean heart rate (beats/min) observed following
intravenous administration of ascorbic acid and Propofol in goats (Mean ± The results obtained from the experiment showed that AA
SEM). pre-treatment before propofol administration affected the
Before After
Groups n During induction onset and duration of sleep following propofol anaesthesia in
induction induction
Group I 5 104.2 ± 22.7 Not applicable 81.2 ± 8.1 goats. The decrease in onset and increase in the duration of
Group II 5 108.0 ± 12.5 106.0 ±12.8 123.2 ± 9.3 anaesthesia obtained in the present study was dose-dependent
Group III 7 84.0 ± 10.8 96.3 ± 9.4 105.7 ± 10.4 and further showed that, the changes were insignificant at a
Group IV 7 93.1 ± 13.7 112.6 ± 9.5 108.0 ± 10.1
low dose. The fact that changes became significant at a
Group I = Ascorbic acid (200 mg/kg); Group II = Propofol (5 mg/kg); Group higher dose demonstrated that AA may act by exerting
III = Ascorbic acid at 200 mg/kg and Propofol at 5 mg/kg; Group IV = inhibitory effects on the central nervous system, inducing
Ascorbic acid at 300 mg/kg and Propofol at 5 mg/kg.
depression. This finding is in agreement with the result
obtained by Elsa and Ubandawaki [16], which showed that
As shown in the Table 3, the administration of AA alone
AA when administered at high doses prolonged the duration
did not cause significant changes in the respiratory rate of the
of ketamine-induced anaesthesia in rabbits. Propofol causes
goats. Propofol when given alone did not change the
central nervous system depression by enhancing or
respiratory rate of goats significantly during and after
potentiating the actions of GABA at the GABAA receptors
anaesthetic induction. There was also no significant change
[24, 25] and AA has also been reported to potentiate
in respiratory rate when 200 mg/kg AA was given to the
GABAergic neurotransmission in the central nervous system
goats prior to propofol induction. However, a significant
[26]. The combined effect of both propofol and AA on
decrease in respiratory rate occurred following
GABAA receptors may lead to the increase in duration and
administration of 300 mg/kg AA before propofol
decrease in the onset of anaesthesia. Furthermore, the result
administration, although the value rose after anaesthesia
shows that administration of AA alone decreased heart rate in
from 21.1 ± 1.7 breaths/min to 25.1 ± 0.7 breaths/min (Table
goats. This finding disagreed with that of [15], who reported
3).
an increase in heart rate after administration of AA (120
Table 3. Mean respiratory rate (breaths/min) observed following mg/kg) alone to rabbits. The difference in the results may be
intravenous administration of ascorbic acid and Propofol in goats (Mean ± due to species difference and the use of a higher dose (200
SEM).
Before During After
Groups n
induction induction
mg/kg) of AA in this study. The observed decrease may be
induction
Group I 5 26.4 ± 5.60 Not applicable 27.2 ± 2.90 caused by the depressant activity of AA in the central
Group II 5 28.0 ± 4.00 22.0 ± 6.10 18.4 ± 2.00 nervous system [16]. Propofol when administered alone was
Group III 7 31.4 ± 3.00 23.4 ± 3.80 22.9 ± 3.10 shown to cause an initial decrease in heart rate. This finding
a b b
Group IV 7 33.3 ± 2.10 21.1 ± 1.70 25.1 ± 0.70
showed that propofol depressed the central nervous system
Group I = Ascorbic acid (200 mg/kg); Group II = Propofol (5 mg/kg); Group directly, as do most other intravenous anaesthetic induction
III = Ascorbic acid at 200 mg/kg and Propofol at 5 mg/kg; Group IV = agents. Thus, heart rate apparently decreased by direct
Ascorbic acid at 300 mg/kg and Propofol at 5 mg/kg.
a,b depressant action of propofol on the sinus node [27].
= Means with different superscript letters are statistically significant (P <
0.05). However, propofol administration was shown to cause an
increase in heart rate after induction which is in agreement
Table 4. Mean rectal temperature (°C) values observed following with the finding of Robinson et al, [28] and Shah et al, [29],
intravenous administration of ascorbic acid and Propofol in goats (Mean ± who reported increases in heart rate after propofol
SEM).
administration. Kanaya et al, [30] have shown no significant
Before During After changes in heart rate, but Mcintosh et al, [27] reported an
Groups n
induction induction induction initial increase in heart rate during propofol anaesthesia,
Group I 5 37.9 ± 0.18 Not applicable 38.2 ± 0.32 followed by a decrease in rabbits. In the present study, the
Group II 5 37.9 ± 0.25 38.3 ± 0.46 38.1 ± 0.40 administration of AA before propofol administration caused
Group III 7 37.9 ± 0.21 38.2 ± 0.30 38.0 ± 0.30
Group IV 7 38.5 ± 0.30 38.7 ± 0.30 38.3 ± 0.70
no significant changes in heart rate and rectal temperature.
Ascorbic acid when administered alone did not alter the
Group I = Ascorbic acid (200 mg/kg); Group II = Propofol (5 mg/kg); Group respiratory rate of the animals. This finding disagrees with
III = Ascorbic acid at 200 mg/kg and Propofol at 5 mg/kg; Group IV =
Ascorbic acid at 300 mg/kg and Propofol at 5 mg/kg.
that of Egwu et al, [15], who reported a decrease in
respiratory rate after AA administration in rabbits. The result
The administration of AA alone did not alter (P > 0.05) the of the present study showed that propofol when administered
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