Effects of sugammadex and rocuronium mast cell number and degranulation in rat liver

Role of sugammadex in the treatment of anaphylaxis due to rocuronium in children: Extrapolation from adult and animal reports

Allergic reactions are generalized hypersensitivity processes triggered by different antigenic stimuli, resulting in the end effect of mast cell degranulation and adverse physiologic effects. During the perioperative period, the most commonly identified agents include antibiotics, neuromuscular blocking agents (rocuronium and succinylcholine), chlorhexidine, and iodinated dyes for radiologic imaging. Sugammadex is a novel agent for the reversal of neuromuscular blockade achieved with rocuronium or vecuronium. Its unique mechanism of action, whereby it encapsulates and forms a one-to-one complex with rocuronium, has led to its anecdotal use as an adjunct in the treatment of anaphylactic and anaphylactoid reactions following rocuronium. The current manuscript discusses the potential use of sugammadex in the treatment of allergic reactions following the administration of rocuronium, reviews previous anecdotal reports of its use in these scenarios, and provides recommendations for future care.

Sugammadex in systemic mastocytosis : Case report and a systematic review of literature

Perioperative management in patients suffering from systemic mastocytosis is challenging. Most recommendations regarding anesthetic management in these patients are based on clinical reports, and there are controversies about the use of rocuronium and sugammadex. We present a case report of a patient with systemic mastocytosis who was given sugammadex for rocuronium reversal. Tryptase levels were monitored during the first postoperative 24 h, without evidence of elevation. We also performed a systematic review to provide an overview of current evidence regarding the safety of using sugammadex in patients suffering from systemic mastocytosis. The search strategy included PubMed and Google Scholar. All studies published up to and including January 2021 concerning anesthetic management in systemic mastocytosis were included. Of the 122 articles located, 9 articles were included: 2 reviews and 7 case reports. Data from reviewed studies confirm that sugammadex can safely be administered in patients suffering from systemic mastocytosis.

Advantages and pitfalls of clinical application of sugammadex

Sugammadex, a modified γ-cyclodextrin, is one of the drugs focused on in the anesthetic field because it provides rapid and complete reversal from neuromuscular blockade (NMB) by encapsulating rocuronium. Its introduction has revolutionized anesthesia practice because it is a safe, predictable, and reliable neuromuscular antagonist. Hence, its use has increased worldwide. Further, it has been in the spotlight for recovering from deep NMB in laparoscopic surgery and improving the surgical condition. Recently, studies have been conducted on the postoperative outcome after deep NMB and use of sugammadex in various clinical conditions. However, with increase in sugammadex use, reports regarding its complications are increasing. Appropriate dosing of sugammadex with quantitative neuromuscular monitoring is emphasized because under-dosing or over-dosing of sugammadex might be associated with unexperienced complications. Sugammadex is now leaping into an ideal reversal agent, changing the anesthesia practice.

Prevention of rocuronium induced mast cell activation with prophylactic oleuropein rich diet in anesthetized rabbits1

PURPOSE

The effect of a prophylactic oleuropein-rich diet before anesthesia accompanied by the widely-used steroid-based neuromuscular drug rocuronium on mast cell activation was investigated in the study.

METHODS

14 rabbits used in the study. The rabbits in the oleuropein group were given oleuropein-rich extract added to the animals' water at doses of 20 mg/kg oleuropein for 15 days orally. After 15 days, all rabbits in the two groups were given general anesthesia with rocuronium of 1 mg/kg. After 1 day, animals were sacrificed and the liver tissue sections stained with H&E, toluidine blue and tryptase for immunohistochemical study.

RESULTS

There was no statistically significant difference between ALT, AST and albumin averages of the oleuropein and control groups (p> 0.05). The tryptase average of the control group was higher than the tryptase average of the oleuropein group and this difference was statistically significant (p=0.003). The T. blue average in the oleuropein group was higher than the control group. However, there was no statistically significant difference between groups (p=0.482).

CONCLUSIONS

Rocuronium adverse effects, like hypersensitivity and anaphylaxis, may limit routine use of this substance. The use of oleuropein reduced the number of inflammatory cells and prevented degranulation.

Neuronal Effects of Sugammadex in combination with Rocuronium or Vecuronium

Rocuronium (ROC) and Vecuronium (VEC) are the most currently used steroidal non-depolarizing neuromuscular blocking (MNB) agents. Sugammadex (SUG) rapidly reverses steroidal NMB agents after anaesthesia. The present study was conducted in order to evaluate neuronal effects of SUG alone and in combination with both ROC and VEC. Using MTT, CASP-3 activity and Western-blot we determined the toxicity of SUG, ROC or VEC in neurons in primary culture. SUG induces apoptosis/necrosis in neurons in primary culture and increases cytochrome C (CytC), apoptosis-inducing factor (AIF), Smac/Diablo and Caspase 3 (CASP-3) protein expression. Our results also demonstrated that both ROC and VEC prevent these SUG effects. The protective role of both ROC and VEC could be explained by the fact that SUG encapsulates NMB drugs. In BBB impaired conditions it would be desirable to control SUG doses to prevent the excess of free SUG in plasma that may induce neuronal damage. A balance between SUG, ROC or VEC would be necessary to prevent the risk of cell damage.

Effectiveness of sugammadex for cerebral ischemia/reperfusion injury

Cerebral ischemia may cause permanent brain damage and behavioral dysfunction. The efficacy and mechanisms of pharmacological treatments administered immediately after cerebral damage are not fully known. Sugammadex is a licensed medication. As other cyclodextrins have not passed the necessary phase tests, trade preparations are not available, whereas sugammadex is frequently used in clinical anesthetic practice. Previous studies have not clearly described the effects of the cyclodextrin family on cerebral ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) damage. The aim of this study was to determine whether sugammadex had a neuroprotective effect against transient global cerebral ischemia. Animals were assigned to control, sham-operated, S 16 and S 100 groups. Transient global cerebral ischemia was induced by 10-minute occlusion of the bilateral common carotid artery, followed by 24-hour reperfusion. At the end of the experiment, neurological behavior scoring was performed on the rats, followed by evaluation of histomorphological and biochemical measurements. Sugammadex 16 mg/kg and 100 mg/kg improved neurological outcome, which was associated with reductions in both histological and neurological scores. The hippocampus TUNEL (terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase dUTP nick end labeling) and caspase results in the S 16 and S 100 treatment groups were significantly lower than those of the I/R group. Neurological scores in the treated groups were significantly higher than those of the I/R group. The study showed that treatment with 16 mg/kg and 100 mg/kg sugammadex had a neuroprotective effect in a transient global cerebral I/R rat model. However, 100 mg/kg sugammadex was more neuroprotective in rats.

Safety and Efficacy of Sugammadex for Neuromuscular Blockade Reversal

Since its first human use in 2005, the γ-cyclodextrin sugammadex (Org 25969) has had the potential to become the reversal agent of choice, for rocuronium- or vecuronium-induced neuromuscular blockade. Sugammadex binds to the aminosteroid neuromuscular blocker, encapsulating it and extracting it from the neuromuscular junction, effectively ceasing activity and allowing neuromuscular transmission to recover rapidly. Phases I–III and subsequent trials have found sugammadex to be safe and effective in a wide range of doses and for the reversal of a range of depth of muscle relaxation in healthy volunteers and a variety of disease states. Sugammadex use may allow refinement of anesthetic practice and improvement in surgical conditions, through the maintenance of deep neuromuscular blockade right to the end of surgery, with subsequent rapid reversal. Debate remains about the use of sugammadex in the treatment of rocuronium anaphylaxis and airway emergencies. The high price of sugammadex currently prohibits its routine use, but if the price falls, after expiry of its patent, it may become cost-effective as a readily available agent in certain specific clinical situations. Serious adverse reactions have occurred in less than 1% of patients and are most commonly because of hypersensitivity. No deaths have been reported, but caution is advised in neonates, pediatrics, and pregnancy where data are lacking.

Sugammadex as a reversal agent for neuromuscular block: an evidence-based review

Sugammadex is the first clinical representative of a new class of drugs called selective relaxant binding agents. It has revolutionized the way anesthesiologists think about drug reversal. Sugammadex selectively binds rocuronium or vecuronium, thereby reversing their neuromuscular blocking action. Due to its 1:1 binding of rocuronium or vecuronium, it is able to reverse any depth of neuromuscular block. So far, it has been approved for use in adult patients and for pediatric patients over 2 years. Since its approval in Europe, Japan, and Australia, further insight on its use in special patient populations and specific diseases have become available. Due to its pharmacodynamic profile, sugammadex, in combination with rocuronium, may have the potential to displace succinylcholine as the "gold standard" muscle relaxant for rapid sequence induction. The use of rocuronium or vecuronium, with the potential of reverse of their action with sugammadex, seems to be safe in patients with impaired neuromuscular transmission, ie, neuromuscular diseases, including myasthenia gravis. Data from long-term use of sugammadex is not yet available. Evidence suggesting an economic advantage of using sugammadex and justifying its relatively high cost for an anesthesia-related drug, is missing.

Evaluation of the effectiveness of sugammadex for verapamil intoxication

Previous studies have shown that medications from the cyclodextrin family bind to verapamil. The aim of our study was to determine whether sugammadex could bind to verapamil and prevent the cardiovascular toxicity of that drug. Twenty-eight sedated Wistar rats were infused with verapamil at 37.5 mg/kg/h. Five minutes after the start of infusion, the animals were treated with a bolus of either 16 mg/kg, 100 mg/kg or 1000 mg/kg sugammadex. The control group was treated with an infusion without sugammadex. The heart rate and respiratory rate were monitored, and an electrocardiogram was recorded. The primary end-point was the time to asystole. The verapamil infusion continued until the animals arrested. The asystole time for the S16 group was significantly longer compared to those for the control and S1000 groups (p < 0.05). The asystole time for the S1000 group was significantly shorter than those for all of the other groups (p < 0.05). Reflecting these data, there was a near doubling of the mean lethal dose of verapamil from 13.57 mg/kg (S.D. ±8.1) in the saline-treated rats to 22.42 mg/kg (S.D. ±9.9) in the sugammadex 16 group (p < 0.05). However, for the sugammadex 1000 group, the mean lethal dose was found to be 6.28 ± 1.11 mg/kg. This dose is significantly lower than those for all of the other groups (p < 0.05). We found that treatment with 16 mg/kg sugammadex delayed verapamil cardiotoxicity in rats. However, 1000 mg/kg sugammadex accelerated verapamil cardiotoxicity in rats. Further studies must be conducted to investigate the interaction between verapamil and sugammadex.