Oxygen tension-associated changes on secondary immune response in halothane or isoflurane anesthetized mice

The impact that reexposure to anesthetics delivered in 100% oxygen or in synthetic air (21% oxygen/79% nitrogen) has on the secondary humoral immune response to sheep red blood cells was studied. Mice were immunized twice with a 15-day interval and anesthetized immediately after each antigenic challenge with 1.5% halothane or 1.5% isoflurane for 40 min. Halothane in oxygen resulted in increased numbers of IgG-secreting cells (IgG-SC), while halothane in air depressed the response when compared to control mice. In contrast, isoflurane vaporized in oxygen did not affect IgG-SC numbers, while isoflurane given in air lowered the response. Furthermore, neither 100% oxygen, nor the stress of being in an anesthesia chamber breathing synthetic air for 40 min had any immunological effect in non-anesthetized mice. The inspired oxygen concentration during halothane or isoflurane anesthesia has an effect on the secondary immune response. The effect is different between halothane and isoflurane, possibly due to differences in the extent of their metabolic and pharmacodynamic properties.