[Preliminary report: the effect of flumazenil on the hypnotic dose of propofol in ddY mice].

The present investigation dealt with the effect of simultaneous administration of flumazenil on the hypnotic activity of propofol using a behavioral model of ddY mice. The mixed solution of propofol and flumazenil was administered intravenously into the mice tail vein and the achievement of hypnosis was defined as the loss of the righting reflex. Flumazenil 0.2 mg.kg-1 significantly decreased the required dose of propofol for hypnosis (8.43 +/- 0.46 mg.kg-1) compared to the control group (10.55 +/- 0.55 mg.kg-1). The mixture with a pH-3.9 acetate buffer solution did not change the hypnotic dose of propofol (10.88 +/- 0.62 mg.kg-1). The results suggest that flumazenil might potentiate the hypnotic activity of propofol in ddY mice.