Effect of oral papaverine on cerebral blood flow in normals: evaluation by the xenon-133 inhalation method. 1976

H S Wang, and W D Obrist

Several issues related to the use of vasoactive drugs in the treatment of neuropsychiatric disorders secondary to cerebrovascular insufficiency remain unresolved due to lack of a practical method for the quantitative measurement of cerebral blood flow (CBF). The present report concerns the use of a noninvasive CBF method in the evaluation of a commonly used vasoactive drug (oral papaverine). Series CBF measurements were made by the Xe133 inhalation method in 21 healthy young adults, using a double-blind crossover experimental design. The findings show that oral papaverine (300 mg b.i.d.) significantly increases blood flow under conditions of both normal breathing and hyperventilation, the latter being used to induce cerebral vasoconstriction. There were large variations in individual response to the drug, and the average increase in CBF (6 to 9%) was smaller than that observed by other investigators using intravenous papaverine. No adverse reactions or alterations in blood pressure were encountered.

UI MeSH Term Description Entries
D006985 Hyperventilation A pulmonary ventilation rate faster than is metabolically necessary for the exchange of gases. It is the result of an increased frequency of breathing, an increased tidal volume, or a combination of both. It causes an excess intake of oxygen and the blowing off of carbon dioxide. Hyperventilations
D008297 Male Males
D010208 Papaverine An alkaloid found in opium but not closely related to the other opium alkaloids in its structure or pharmacological actions. It is a direct-acting smooth muscle relaxant used in the treatment of impotence and as a vasodilator, especially for cerebral vasodilation. The mechanism of its pharmacological actions is not clear, but it apparently can inhibit phosphodiesterases and it may have direct actions on calcium channels. Cerespan,Papaverine Hydrochloride,Pavabid,Pavatym,Hydrochloride, Papaverine
D010919 Placebos Any dummy medication or treatment. Although placebos originally were medicinal preparations having no specific pharmacological activity against a targeted condition, the concept has been extended to include treatments or procedures, especially those administered to control groups in clinical trials in order to provide baseline measurements for the experimental protocol. Sham Treatment
D012119 Respiration The act of breathing with the LUNGS, consisting of INHALATION, or the taking into the lungs of the ambient air, and of EXHALATION, or the expelling of the modified air which contains more CARBON DIOXIDE than the air taken in (Blakiston's Gould Medical Dictionary, 4th ed.). This does not include tissue respiration ( Breathing
D001794 Blood Pressure PRESSURE of the BLOOD on the ARTERIES and other BLOOD VESSELS. Systolic Pressure,Diastolic Pressure,Pulse Pressure,Pressure, Blood,Pressure, Diastolic,Pressure, Pulse,Pressure, Systolic,Pressures, Systolic
D002245 Carbon Dioxide A colorless, odorless gas that can be formed by the body and is necessary for the respiration cycle of plants and animals. Carbonic Anhydride,Anhydride, Carbonic,Dioxide, Carbon
D002560 Cerebrovascular Circulation The circulation of blood through the BLOOD VESSELS of the BRAIN. Brain Blood Flow,Regional Cerebral Blood Flow,Cerebral Blood Flow,Cerebral Circulation,Cerebral Perfusion Pressure,Circulation, Cerebrovascular,Blood Flow, Brain,Blood Flow, Cerebral,Brain Blood Flows,Cerebral Blood Flows,Cerebral Circulations,Cerebral Perfusion Pressures,Circulation, Cerebral,Flow, Brain Blood,Flow, Cerebral Blood,Perfusion Pressure, Cerebral,Pressure, Cerebral Perfusion
D002986 Clinical Trials as Topic Works about pre-planned studies of the safety, efficacy, or optimum dosage schedule (if appropriate) of one or more diagnostic, therapeutic, or prophylactic drugs, devices, or techniques selected according to predetermined criteria of eligibility and observed for predefined evidence of favorable and unfavorable effects. This concept includes clinical trials conducted both in the U.S. and in other countries. Clinical Trial as Topic
D006801 Humans Members of the species Homo sapiens. Homo sapiens,Man (Taxonomy),Human,Man, Modern,Modern Man

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