Hormonal Responses to Analgesic Nitrous Oxide in Man

M. A. Gillman; I. Katzeff; W. J. H. Vermaak; P. J. Becker; E. Susani

doi:10.1055/s-2007-1010939

Hormone and Metabolic Research, Table of Contents

Horm Metab Res 1988; 20(12): 751-754
DOI: 10.1055/s-2007-1010939

Clinical

Hormonal Responses to Analgesic Nitrous Oxide in Man

M. A. Gillman¹ , I. Katzeff² , W. J. H. Vermaak³ , P. J. Becker⁴ , E. Susani²

¹S.A. Brain Research Institute, Johannesburg, South Africa
²Dept. Physiology, University of the Witwatersrand Medical School, Johannesburg, South Africa
³Dept. Chemical Pathology, University of The Orange Free State, Bloemfontein, South Africa
⁴Institute of Biostatistics (Transvaal Branch), of The South African Medical Research Council, Johannesburg, South Africa

Abstract

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Summary

Analgesic concentrations of nitrous oxide were administered to 6 healthy male subjects, and blood samples were assayed for prolactin, ACTH, follicle stimulating hormone, luteinising hormone, growth hormone, cortisol and thyroid hormones. Analgesic nitrous oxide (mean concentration = 48.8%) produced statistically significant elevation of prolactin and depression of cortisol whilst not producing statistically significant changes in the other hormones assayed. The increase in prolactin and decrease in cortisol levels are similar to the hormonal changes associated with administration of opioids in man. We have also confirmed the findings of other workers that cortisol levels may not always be correlated with ACTH levels.

Key-Words

Nitrous Oxide - Opioid - Prolactin - Cortisol - ACTH

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