The Effects of Using Tramadol Hydrochloride as Preoperative Analgesia on the Anesthetic Impact of Tiletamine/ Zolazepam in Sprague–Dawley Rat

Abstract

Preanesthetic analgesia is effective for relief of postoperative pain in humans and animals by preventing surgical stimuli; however, adverse effects such as respiratory depression and prolonged recovery time may occur. Our objective was to compare the effects of preanesthesia administration of tramadol hydrochloride on anesthesia with combination of tiletamine/ zolazepam and anesthesia of tiletamine/zolazepam alone. Sprague–Dawley rats were randomly placed into 2 groups; the first group received tiletamine/zolazepam alone (40 mg/ kg IM; n = 4), and the second received tiletamine/zolazepam at the same dose as the first group 1 h after receiving tramadol hydrochloride (10 mg/kg IM; n = 5). The respiratory rate, mucus membrane, righting reflex, and scoring pedal reflex (1 to 3 grade) were monitored every 15 min. There was no significant difference on duration of surgical anesthesia period (45.00 ± 8.50 cf, 45.00 ± 7.74 min). The tiletament/zolazepam with tramadol hydrochloride group showed less total sleeping time (90.00 ± 10.95 cf, 105.00 ± 13.90 min, P < 0.01), recovery time (60.00 ± 8.42 cf, 75.00 ± 11.70 min, P < 0.01), pedal score on total sleeping time (1.66 ± 0.08 cf, 2.07 ± 0.11, P < 0.05), and respiratory rate at that time (126.70 ± 4.09 cf, 155.52 ± 3.86 breath/min, P < 0.05). There were no anesthetic complications. The study indicated that administration of tramadol hydrochloride 1 h before tiletamine/zolazepam could reduce total sleeping time and recovery time with lower pain response.