Functional significance of lipid changes under the effect of inhalational anesthetics

Small concentrations of inhaled anesthetics can induce type II pneumocytes dysfunction and affect surfactant production and exacerbate oxidant mediated lung injury. The aim of the present work was to study the interrelationship between alveolar surfactant lipid composition and that of the lung tissue aiming to understand the sequence of events in the pathogenesis and pathophysiology of acute lung injury [ALI] after inhalation anesthesia. 60 albino rats were used in this study. Lipids were extracted from the lung tissue and alveolar surfactant obtained by bronchoalveolar lavage from rats which were subjected to 1-2% halothane or nitrous oxide anesthetics. The following parameters were determined on the extracted lipids: total lipids [TL], triglycerides [TG], total cholesterol [T-ch], total free fatty acids [FFA], total phospholipids [TPL], phospholipids fractions, lecithin [phosphatidyl cholin Pc], lysolecithin, cephalin [phosphatidyl ethanol amine PI] and sphingomyelin. I- Effect of halothane In the surfactant: Halothane decreased all parameters studied with the exception of FFA and sphingomyelin which was increased compared to controls. Cephalin did not change. However, in the lung FFA, lecithin and lysolecithin increased while all other parameters decreased. II- Effect of nitrous oxide [N[2]O]: In the surfactant: All parameters also decreased except lysolecithin, cephalin and sphingomyelin, which were increased. However, FFA did not change significantly from controls. In the lung: Lecithin, lysolecithin and FFA increased whereas the other parameters decreased. Halothane and N[2]O differ as regards their effect on the lipid profile of the surfactant or lung tissue. The functional significance of the alteration was discussed

Influence of general anaesthesia with halothane and isoflurane on some parameters of gastric juice in the rat

The effect of two inhalational anesthetics, halothane and isoflurane on gastric secretory activity was investigated in the rat. Compared with the control group, halothane significantly decreased the hydrochloric acid concentration, peptic activity and volume of the gastric secretion, while it produced no change in the mucin content. Isoflurane caused a significant decrease in the volume and hydrochloric acid concentration as compared to control. On the other hand, the mucin content showed a significant increase and no change in the peptic activity. Attempts to explain the possible mechanisms underlying these findings have been discussed. The risk from inhalation of acid gastric contents seems to be reduced during and at the end of general anesthesia using anesthetic agents. Also, the results show that isoflurane and halothane appeared to be a reasonable choice when emergency surgery is required and/or in patients with symptoms of hyperacidity

Changes in B-glucuronidase and complement C3 under anesthesia in schistosomal and non-schistosomal patients

The effect of single halothane or nitrous oxide anaesthesia on complement C[3] and B-glucuronidase enzyme [B.G.] was studied in 30 patients divided into 3 groups each of 10. Group I and II received nitrous oxide 70% in o[2] and group III received halothane 1-1.5%. Group I were schistosomal patients, while the other two were non-schistosomal. Estimation of C[3], B.G. and liver function tests were performed pre-operatively, post-operatively [50-60 minutes of anaesthesia] and 4th post-operative day. It was observed that schistosomiasis causes significant increase in B.G. and decrease in C[3] Post-operative samples showed significant reduction ll C- and increase in B.G. p [P <0.001] in all groups. Se percent of depression was more significant in schistosomal group than non schistosomal group under nitrous oxide. Also the percent of depression was more significant under halothane than dtrous oxide in control groups. By the 4th day, there was sigtificant increase in both C-levet and B.G. activity [P<0.001] in all groups. No significant changes were detected in [%] changes B.G. except between schistosomal and non schistosomal patients [p[2]<0.001] under nitrous oxide. Liver function tests demonstrated significant changes in some pa-mieters in schistosomal patients only. This indicates that schis-sosoniiasis, anaesthesia and surgery arc established causes of tress, inducing alterations in C[3] and B.G. which are sensitive indicators of tissue injury and liver insult than routine liver tests

Caffeine as a modulator of bronchial hyper-reactivity in adult asthmatics

The effect of caffeine [adenosine antagonist] on methacholine bronchial reactivity, pulmonary ventilation, heart rate, and blood pressure was stupied in adult asthmatics to: 1- evaluate the role of adenosine in the pathogenesis of bronchial hyper-reactivity, 2- have idea about the site of action of caffeine as a ventilatory stimulant. 24 asthmatic patients, classified into three comparable groups were studied. Methacholine bronchial reactivity [PD-20-FEV[1]], tidal volume [VT], respiratory rate [R.R],minute ventilation [VE], heart rate [H.R] and mean blood pressure [P] were measured before and two hours after caffeine ingestion [2 mg/kg in the first group, 5 mg/kg in the second, 7 mg/kg in the third]. caffeine in the three doses, has significantly increased the PD-20-FEV[1] in a fashion related to the baseline PD-20-FEV[1] but not related to the induced dronchodilatation. The three doses of caffeine have resulted in significant ventilatiry stimulation, however, the low dose [2 mg/kg] did not has significant effect on RR, HR and P.