Mechanism of action of volatile anesthetics: effects of halothane on glutamate receptors in vitro

Toxicol Lett. 1998 Nov 23:100-101:65-9. doi: 10.1016/s0378-4274(98)00166-0.

Abstract

(1) We have investigated the effect of halothane on glutamate receptor-mediated excitation in pyramidal cells and interneurons of the hippocampal CA1 area. (2) Halothane similarly inhibited non-NMDA and NMDA receptor-mediated excitatory postsynaptic currents in both cell types at low concentrations but preferentially blocked responses to exogenously applied AMPA at higher concentrations. (3) Synaptically but not directly evoked action potentials in interneurons were inhibited by halothane.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Action Potentials / drug effects
  • Anesthetics, Inhalation / pharmacology*
  • Animals
  • Excitatory Amino Acid Agonists / pharmacology
  • Excitatory Postsynaptic Potentials / drug effects
  • Halothane / pharmacology*
  • Hippocampus / cytology
  • Hippocampus / drug effects
  • In Vitro Techniques
  • Interneurons / drug effects
  • Iontophoresis
  • Membrane Potentials / drug effects
  • Patch-Clamp Techniques
  • Pyramidal Cells / drug effects
  • Rats
  • Receptors, Glutamate / drug effects*

Substances

  • Anesthetics, Inhalation
  • Excitatory Amino Acid Agonists
  • Receptors, Glutamate
  • Halothane