the potency (EC50) and maximal effect of the compounds. The anaesthetics minaxolone (EC50=1.3 microM), Org20599 (EC50=1.1 microM) and alphaxalone (EC50=2.2 microM) enhanced currents mediated by GABAA receptors. The anaesthetics also enhanced currents mediated by glycine receptors, although with higher EC50 values (minaxolone 13.1 microM; Org20599=22.9 microM and alphaxalone=27.8 microM). The maximal enhancement (to 780-950% of control) produced by the three steroids acting at the GABAA receptor was similar, but currents evoked by glycine were potentiated with increasing effectiveness by alphaxalone (199%) minaxolone (1197%). The anaesthetic isomers, 5alpha-pregnan-3alpha-ol-20-one and 5beta-pregnan-3alpha-ol-20-one (eltanolone) enhanced GABAA receptor-mediated currents with similar
Initial experience with Minaxolone. A water-soluble steroid intravenous anaesthetic agent. Minaxolone has been used to induce anaesthesia, and in incremental doses to supplement nitrous oxide, in 100 patients undergoing minor surgical procedures. Half the patients received a small dose of fentanyl before induction. Minaxolone proved to be a satisfactory induction agent. The commonest