Effects of enflurane and halothane on carbohydrate metabolism in isolated perfused rabbit lungs

Isolated, perfused rabbit lungs were used to investigate the effects of enflurane and halothane on pulmonary carbohydrate metabolism. The development of oedema in the preparation was assessed by continuous measurement of pulmonary artery pressure, airway pressure and lung weight. Ventilation of the lungs with 2% enflurane for 3 h had no effect on the rates of glucose utilization and lactate production and there were only small changes in the indices of oedema. Likewise, ventilation with 1% halothane for 1 h had no effect on the rates of glucose utilization and lactate production, and did not change significantly the concentrations of glycogen, glucose, glycolytic intermediates and high-energy phosphate compounds in lung tissue. Enflurane and halothane, at clinically relevant concentrations, probably do not influence carbohydrate metabolism in the lung.