[Effects of sevofluran on cell division and levels of sister chromatid exchange]. / Die Wirkung von Sevofluran auf Zellteilung, Mitoseindex (MI) und Austausch der Schwesterchromatide (Sister Chromatide Exchange SCE).

OBJECTIVE: Purpose of the study was to investigate the mitotic index (MI) and sister chromatid exchange (SCE) levels to identify the mutagenic and carcinogenic effects of sevoflurane (sevoflurane). METHODS: 42 non-smoking male and female turkish patients of ASA-risk I and II were included. The patients received an anaesthesia induction with 8 % sevoflurane in 100 % oxygen ("tidal volume methode") and 0.1 mg/kg BW vecuronium for neuromuscular block and endotracheal intubation. Anaesthesia was maintained with 2.0 - 2.5 sevoflurane in 60 % N(2)O and 40 % O(2). Four 5 ml venous blood samples werde taken: before induction (control), 60 minutes, 24 hours and 5 days after sevoflurane anesthesia. Samples were prepared according to the periferic blood culture assay, modified by Morhead and co-workers, and levels of MI and SCE were examined. RESULTS: 60 minutes after sevoflurane-anaesthesia a significant decrease of MI was found compared to controls (p < 0.01). This depression was lower after 24 hours (p < 0.05) and reversible after 5 days. SCE increased significantly during 60 minutes of anaesthesia (p < 0.001), was also lower after 24 hours (5.6 +/- 2.4 vs. 4.4 +/- 1.7) and returned to normal levels after 5 days (p > 0.05). CONCLUSION: The application of sevoflurane for anaesthesia may influence the cell division in humans and may have a mutagenic effect on DNA at the cell level, which is reversible.