Influence of liver metabolism on the actions of althesin and thiopentone.

To examine the role of liver metabolism on the actions of Althesin, its duration of action and circulatory effects were measured under the following experimental conditions in the rat: (a) non pretreated rats; (b) non pretreated rats: injection through the portal vein; (c) rats with cholestasis; (d) rats with induced microsomal enzymes; (e) rats with a depressed microsomal enzymatic synthesis. The experiments were repeated in the same animals by injecting equivalent doses of thiopentone. The effects of Althesin depend upon the functional conditions of the liver, while a relationship of this kind does not occur with thiopentone.