METABOLISM OF VOLATILE ANESTHETICS. III. INDUCTION OF MICROSOMAL DECHLORINATING AND ETHER-CLEAVING ENZYMES

¹ Biochemical Research Laboratory, The Dow Chemical Company, Midland, Michigan

The fact that the volatile anesthetics, methoxyflurane and halothane, are metabolized by microsomal enzymes has been established. The present work investigates the influence of phenobarbital, 3-methylcholanthrene and previous exposure to methoxyflurane vapors on the in vivo and in vitro metabolism of halothane and methoxyflurane. The results are as follows: phenobarbital induces the methoxyflurane ether-cleaving system as well as the dechlorination of halothane and methoxyflurane. 3-Methylcholanthrene treatment results in the stimulation of the metabolism of methoxyflurane in vivo. However, the ether-cleaving system and the dechlorination of methoxyflurane and halothane when assayed in vitro in microsomes are not influenced by 3-methylcholanthrene treatment. Exposure of animals to the vapors of methoxyflurane results in an induction of the dechlorinating system when assayed in vitro using methoxyflurane. The ether-cleaving system is influenced only slightly under these conditions.

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