Effect of halothane in cortical cell cultures exposed to N-methyl-D-aspartate.
Journal Article (Journal Article)
In vivo studies have shown potent protection by volatile anesthetic agents against cerebral ischemic insults. Volatile agents have also been shown to antagonize glutamatergic neurotransmission at the N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor. This study examined the potential for halothane to reduce neuronal excitotoxic lesions caused by NMDA. Fetal rat cortical cell cultures were allowed to mature 13-16 d. Culture wells (n = 13-16) were treated with 0 mM - 3.96 mM halothane in the presence/absence of 30 microM NMDA. Additional cultures were exposed to 30 microM NMDA in the presence/absence of 10 microM MK-801 or 10 microM ACEA 1021. Cellular lethality was assessed by measurement of lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) 24 hrs later. A maximal effect of halothane was observed at 0.70 mM (2.1 vol%) wherein a 36% reduction in NMDA-stimulated LDH release occurred relative to untreated controls. Both MK-801 and ACEA 1021 caused complete inhibition of NMDA-stimulated LDH release. These data confirm that halothane has modulatory effects at the NMDA receptor but potency of this drug is less than that of specific antagonists of either glutamate or glycine. These findings suggest that halothane protection in vivo can be partially explained by anti-excitotoxic properties although other mechanisms of action are probably also important.
Full Text
Duke Authors
Cited Authors
- Beirne, JP; Pearlstein, RD; Massey, GW; Warner, DS
Published Date
- January 1998
Published In
Volume / Issue
- 23 / 1
Start / End Page
- 17 - 23
PubMed ID
- 9482262
International Standard Serial Number (ISSN)
- 0364-3190
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
- 10.1023/a:1022489017731
Language
- eng
Conference Location
- United States