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Updated: Feb 16, 2026

An In Vitro Approach to Study Mitochondrial Dysfunction: A Cybrid Model
Published on: March 9, 2022
General anesthetics cause mitochondrial dysfunction and reduction of intracellular ATP levels
Jun-Ichi Kishikawa1, Yuki Inoue1, Makoto Fujikawa2
1Department of Molecular Biosciences, Faculty of Life Sciences, Kyoto Sangyo University, Kamigamo-Motoyama, Kita-ku, Kyoto, Japan.
Abstract:
General anesthetics are indispensable for effective clinical care. Although, the mechanism of action of general anesthetics remains controversial, lipid bilayers and proteins have been discussed as their targets. In this study, we focused on the relationship between cellular ATP levels and general anesthetics. The ATP levels of nematodes and cultured mammalian cells were decreased by exposure to three general anesthetics: isoflurane, pentobarbital, and 1-phenoxy-2-propanol. Furthermore, these general anesthetics abolished mitochondrial membrane potential, resulting in the inhibition of mitochondrial ATP synthesis. These results suggest that the observed decrease of cellular ATP level is a common phenomenon of general anesthetics.
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