Volatile anesthetic effects on glutamate versus GABA release from isolated rat cortical nerve terminals: basal release.

TitleVolatile anesthetic effects on glutamate versus GABA release from isolated rat cortical nerve terminals: basal release.
Publication TypeJournal Article
Year of Publication2006
AuthorsWestphalen RI, Hemmings HC
JournalJ Pharmacol Exp Ther
Volume316
Issue1
Pagination208-15
Date Published2006 Jan
ISSN0022-3565
KeywordsAlgorithms, Anesthetics, Inhalation, Animals, Cerebral Cortex, Chelating Agents, Dose-Response Relationship, Drug, Egtazic Acid, Enflurane, gamma-Aminobutyric Acid, Glutamic Acid, Halothane, Isoflurane, L-Lactate Dehydrogenase, Male, Nerve Endings, Neurotransmitter Agents, Presynaptic Terminals, Rats, Rats, Sprague-Dawley
Abstract

The effects of three volatile anesthetics (isoflurane, enflurane, and halothane) on basal release of glutamate and GABA from isolated rat cerebrocortical nerve terminals (synaptosomes) were compared using a dual isotope superfusion method. Concentration-dependent effects on basal release differed between anesthetics and transmitters. Over a range of clinical concentrations (0.5-2x minimum alveolar concentration), basal glutamate release was inhibited by all three anesthetics, whereas basal GABA release was enhanced (isoflurane) or unaffected (enflurane and halothane). These effects may represent a balance of stimulatory and inhibitory mechanisms between transmitters and anesthetics. There were no significant differences between anesthetic effects on basal release in the absence or presence of external Ca(2+), whereas intracellular Ca(2+) buffering limited volatile anesthetic inhibition of basal glutamate release. Although these results demonstrate fundamental differences in anesthetic effects on basal release between glutamatergic and GABAergic nerve terminals, all three volatile anesthetics at clinical concentrations consistently reduced the ratio of basal glutamate to GABA release. These actions may contribute to the net depression of glutamatergic excitation and potentiation of GABAergic inhibition characteristic of general anesthesia.

DOI10.1124/jpet.105.090647
Alternate JournalJ. Pharmacol. Exp. Ther.
PubMed ID16174801
Grant ListGM 58055 / GM / NIGMS NIH HHS / United States