Dopamine and Dobutamine Reduce Myocardial d-Propoxyphene Content in Experimentally Intoxicated Rats

Abstract

The effect of sympathomimetic intervention with dopamine or dobutamine on the myocardial uptake of d-propoxyphene was investigated experimentally in rats. The d-propoxyphene (19 mg kg-1 h-1) was continously infused, intravenously, over 45 min. After 20 min of infusion the rats were given either dopamine (12.5 ?g kg-1 min-1 or 25 ?g kg-1 min-1), dobutamine (25 ?g kg-1 min-1 or 45 ?g kg-1min-1) or normal saline (control). Each group consisted of eight rats. The myocardial d-propoxyphene content was significantly lower in the two groups given dopamine and in the group given dobutamine 45 ?g kg-1 min-1 than in the control group (P < 0.05). This finding indicates the benefit of early sympathomimetic intervention with either dopamine or dobutamine in d-propoxyphene intoxication.