Anaesthesia effects on in vivo acetylcholine transmission; comparisons of radioenzymatic and HPLC assays.

The effect of general anaesthesia on extracellular levels of acetylcholine (ACh) in the caudate-putamen of freely moving rats was studied by microdialysis. ACh concentrations were determined in the same perfusate samples by radioenzymatic and HPLC/electrochemical procedures in order to compare the assays. The concentration of ACh in perfusate samples was estimated to be 0.30 microM in conscious unrestrained rats. However, when these rats were administered chloral hydrate (400 mg/kg i.p.), the level of ACh was decreased immediately by 50%, attaining a value of 0.06 microM within 20-40 min following the injection. Upon recovery of the righting reflex, ACh levels were once again re-elevated. The levels of choline (Ch), the precursor of ACh, were unaffected by anaesthesia. It was apparent that the level of consciousness (i.e. awake vs. anaesthetized) is an important factor determining ACh overflow. Radioenzymatic and HPLC assays proved to give identical results for the analysis of ACh and Ch.