The effect of anesthesia by diethyl ether or isoflurane on activity of cytochrome P450 2E1 and P450 reductases in rat liver.

UNLABELLED: In this study we sought to determine whether exposure to the anesthetics diethyl ether and isoflurane influences the activity of hepatic cytochrome P450 2E1 and P450 reductases in the rat. Rats were fed a purified diet for 6 wk before anesthesia with 1 of 3 anesthetics: carbon dioxide, diethyl ether, or isoflurane. Cytochrome P450 2E1 and P450 reductases were measured in liver microsomes. No significant differences in enzyme activities were found among the groups. These results indicate that diethyl ether and isoflurane can be used to kill rats without inducing P450 enzymes. IMPLICATIONS: Rats were anesthetized with ether, isoflurane, or carbon dioxide and liver P450 enzymes were quantified by spectrophotometry. Based on the results of this study, rats can be anesthetized with isoflurane or diethyl ether for a short period without a change in the activity of P450 enzymes.