[Depressant effects of volatile anesthetics on second messenger system in mRNA-expressed Xenopus laevis oocytes]

In this study I attempted to elucidate the depressant effects of volatile anesthetics on inositol trisphosphate (IP3)-mediated signal transduction pathway and to identify the site of action. For this purpose, we used Xenopus laevis oocytes which translated and expressed 5-HT receptors after injection of mRNA isolated from the rat brain. In this system, binding of the agonist to G-protein coupled receptors activates phospholipase C that produces IP3. Mobilization of Ca2+ by IP3 from the storage finally opens Ca2+ dependent Cl- channels. Halothane, isoflurane and methoxyflurane depressed Cl- current elicited by 5-HT. For the further quantitative study, methoxyflurane was used because of its better solubility and less vapor pressure that avoided evaporation of the agent. The 5-HT elicited Cl- current was depressed in a non-competitive fashion. Response were 75, 60, 20% of control in the presence of 0.5, 1 and 3 mM methoxyflurane, respectively. Responses elicited by a pressure-injection of Ca2+ or IP3 remained unchanged in the presence of high concentrations of either halothane, isoflurane or methoxyflurane. These results suggest that the depressant mechanism by volatile anesthetics on the signal transduction pathway involves neither Ca2+ dependent Cl- channel dynamics nor intracellular Ca2+ mobilization by IP3. Changes of microdomain characteristics of the membrane in the presence of anesthetic molecules including membrane-bound proteins and enzyme system may be a main mechanism of action of volatile anesthetics.