Modulation of oxygen-free radicals from human leukocytes during halothane- and enflurane- induced general anesthesia

Oxidative metabolism correlates with the release of microbiocidal oxygen-free radicals, measured as luminol-dependent chemiluminescence. The effect of general anesthesia on the oxidative metabolism of human leukocytes was investigated. Sixteen patients undergoing a halothane-induced general anesthesia and 14 patients receiving an enflurane-induced general anesthesia participated in the study. Halothane-induced anesthesia was accompanied both by a suppression of basic chemiluminescence and by a decrease in chemiluminescence during the phagocytosis of zymosan A. This was monitored 15 min, 30 min and 60 min after starting general anesthesia and compared to the level of chemiluminescence before starting general anesthesia. Ninety minutes after finishing general anesthesia, a significant recovery of chemiluminescence was seen to exceed the level before general anesthesia. Comparable findings were observed with enflurane-induced general anesthesia, suggesting a decreased release of oxygen-free radicals during general anesthesia, and afterwards an increase exceeding the initial level.