The Sound of Evolution
Vecuronium
Mechanism of action:
Vecuronium is a non-depolarizing neuromuscular blocking agent and is a steroid-based compound. Vecuronium binds to nicotinic acetylcholine receptors on the motor end-plate and competitively antagonizes acetylcholine. Once vecuronium occupies the receptor, acetylcholine can no longer trigger sodium influx, the neuromuscular end-plate cannot generate a depolarizing potential, and the generation of muscle action potentials is therefore blocked.
Reference(s):
1. Jonsson Fagerlund M et al. (2009). Pharmacological characteristics of the inhibition of nondepolarizing neuromuscular blocking agents at human adult muscle nicotinic acetylcholine receptor. Anesthesiology.
2. Liu M et al. (2008). Synergy between pairs of competitive antagonists at adult human muscle acetylcholine receptors. Anesth Analg.
3. Paul M et al. (2002). Characterization of the interactions between volatile anesthetics and neuromuscular blockers at the muscle nicotinic acetylcholine receptor. Anesth Analg.