Does vasodilation increase the threshold for bupivacaine-induced convulsions in rats?
Bupivacaine, a long-acting local anesthetic, induces central nervous system toxicity when its plasma concentration is increased. Nicardipine and phentolamine increased the cumulative dose but did not affect the threshold plasma concentrations, required for bupivacaine-induced convulsions, suggesting that both nicardipine and phentolamine inhibited the increase in the plasma concentration of bupivacaine by inducing peripheral vasodilation.
Serum prohepcidin concentrations were relatively stable within subjects and correlated with serum ferritin. However, unlike serum ferritin, neither serum nor urinary prohepcidin concentrations were related to iron absorption in healthy women.