Metabolism in vitro of enflurane, isoflurane, and methoxyflurane

Specific activities of enflurane, isoflurane, and methoxyflurane defluorinases were measured in microsomes prepared from the livers of Fischer 344 rats; the ratio of these activities was 23:3:1. Pretreatment with phenobarbital significantly increased the defluorinase activities of all three agents. Factors that influence anesthetic drug metabolism are discussed; tissue solubility is considered to be the most important.