Effects of halothane on microtubules in the sciatic nerve of the rat

The effect of halothane and colchicine on microtubule repolymerisation after exposure to cold has been examined in the sciatic nerve of the rat. Myelinated axons showed a significant decrease in microtubule numbers and density after exposure to both 20 mM halothane and 10(-5) M colchicine; exposure to both agents simultaneously produced a further significant reduction when compared to halothane alone. It is suggested that halothane can interfere with microtubule repolymerisation in mammalian axons possibly in a similar way to that described in invertebrates.