The Journal of pharmacology and experimental therapeutics
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J. Pharmacol. Exp. Ther. · Dec 1977
Nitrous oxide analgesia: reversal by naloxone and development of tolerance.
The objective of this study was to characterize further the nature of nitrous oxide analgesia and to establish if tolerance to nitrous oxide occurs. Methods for studying the analgesic action of a gas are described. In mice, nitrous oxide is analgesic in the phenylquinone and acetic acid abdominal constriction tests. ⋯ Lower doses of the antagonist were not effective. Tolerance developed to the effects of nitrous oxide in both rats and mice after prolonged exposure. These data lend support to the hypothesis that nitrous oxide and opiates have a significant pharmacologic resemblance and may ultimately produce similar molecular events in the brain leading to the relief of pain.