Isoflurane and sevoflurane modulate inactivation kinetics of Ca2+ currents in single bullfrog atrial myocytes

To clarify the mechanism(s) of anesthetic depression of myocardial Ca2+ currents, the effects of isoflurane and sevoflurane on the inactivation kinetics of Ca2+ current in single bullfrog atrial myocytes were studied.

Freshly isolated bullfrog atrial myocytes were obtained with an enzymatic dispersion procedure. Ca2+ currents were recorded with a whole-cell voltage-clamp technique.

Both isoflurane (1.25, 2.5, 5.0 vol%) and sevoflurane (2.5, 5.0 vol%) decreased the peak amplitude of Ca2+ current ICa with a minimal change in the time to peak and the reversal potential. The inactivation kinetics studies revealed that (1) isoflurane (2.5 vol%) and sevoflurane (5.0 vol%) markedly reduced the time constant of inactivation in ICa to 55% and 75% of control, respectively; (2) isoflurane (2.5 vol%) shifted the midpoint (V1/2) of steady-state inactivation curve of ICa toward negative by 2.3 mV; and (3) isoflurane (2.5 vol%) delayed the reactivation time constant of ICa to 119% of control. The further computer-simulation study demonstrated that the observed decrease of time constant by isoflurane (1.25, 2.5 vol%) and sevoflurane (2.5 vol%) can explain the reduction in amplitude of ICa.

The depression of ICa by lower concentration of isoflurane (1.25, 2.5 vol%) and sevoflurane (2.5 vol%) mainly is due to the decrease of time constant and, at higher concentration, isoflurane and sevoflurane may affect the other membrane components.