Cisatracurium, but not mivacurium, inhibits survival and axonal growth of neonatal and adult rat peripheral neurons in vitro

Publication

Cisatracurium, but not mivacurium, inhibits survival and axonal growth of neonatal and adult rat peripheral neurons in vitro

Journal Paper/Review - Jul 22, 2004

Lirk Philipp, Longato Stefano, Rieder Josef, Klimaschewski Lars

Citation

Lirk P, Longato S, Rieder J, Klimaschewski L. Cisatracurium, but not mivacurium, inhibits survival and axonal growth of neonatal and adult rat peripheral neurons in vitro. Neurosci Lett 2004; 365:153-5.

Type

Journal Paper/Review (English)

Journal

Neurosci Lett 2004; 365

Publication Date

Jul 22, 2004

Issn Print

0304-3940

Pages

153-5

Brief description/objective

Cisatracurium and mivacurium are widely used neuromuscular blocking drugs. Previous reports have indicated growth-inhibitory effects of cisatracurium, but not mivacurium, on two human cell lines in vitro. These effects were ascribed to oxidative stress elicited by acrylate esters formed during cisatracurium breakdown. The aim of the present study was to investigate whether these agents would possibly interfere with the peripheral nervous system. Survival and axonal growth of rat primary neurons obtained from the superior cervical sympathetic ganglion (SCG) or from the adult dorsal root ganglion (DRG) were investigated after treatment with cisatracurium or mivacurium at concentrations from 1 to 10 microM for 24 h. Cisatracurium, but not mivacurium, significantly decreased neuronal survival in a dose-dependent manner, and axonal length was considerably reduced by cisatracurium as compared to controls. It is concluded that high concentrations of cisatracurium are potentially neurotoxic.