Effects of Halothane on Oxygen Consumption of Rat Liver Slices

Abstract

SUMMARYNormal rat liver slice respiration was studied at 37 °C by the polarographic technique of Longmuir in the presence of oxygenated solutions and with addition of clinical concentrations of halothane to the mixtures. In the presence of halothane, after one exposure of the slices, respiration was significantly inhibited in all cases when the anaesthetic concentration was 23.6 mg/100 ml, in one of four experiments at the 17.7 mg/100 ml concentration, but never for a lower halothane concentration. Re-exposure of the tissue to the anaesthetic concentrations which were inactive at the first exposure produced significant respiratory inhibition, presumably because of progressive accumulation in the tissue. One mechanism of the inhibition of tissue respiration by halothane appears to be interference with the oxygen transport mechanism to the mitochondria.

The Effect of Controlled Halothane Anaesthesia on Splanchnic Oxygen Consumption in the Dog

“…These authors were able to estimate hepatic oxygen consumption and noted that the decrease in splanchnic oxygen uptake during halothane anaesthesia was wholly explained by a decrease in the hepatic oxygen uptake. I n vitro studies on hepatic oxygen consumption during halothane exposure have been performed on isolated, perfused livers (BOMBECK et al 1969, BIEBUYCK et al 1972a) and on liver slices (HOECH et al 1966, BESOMBE & LONGMUIR 1971. The results from these in vitro studies are somewhat contradictory and naturally difficult to compare with those from in vivo studies.…”

“…The cellular transport of oxygen may also be affected by halothane (BESOMBE & LONGMUIR 1971, SMETS et al 1972.…”