Enflurane, halothane and isoflurane do not inhibit angiotensin converting enzyme activity.

We studied the effect of halothane, enflurane and isoflurane on angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) activity using [3H]-benzoyl-phenylalanyl-alanyl-proline (BPAP) as a substrate. Isolated rabbit lungs were perfused in a recirculating system in vitro with BPAP in Krebs-Ringer solution. The rate of metabolism and per cent metabolism were determined before and after treatment for 30 minutes with four MAC multiples of enflurane, halothane or isoflurane. The effects of the anaesthetics on ACE activity were determined by calculating per cent inhibition of metabolism of BPAP using data from the control and test period for each lung. The average metabolism of BPAP at 15 minutes during the control period was 76.5 per cent (+/- 1.92 SEM). No anaesthetic significantly inhibited metabolism of BPAP. Likewise there was no effect on BPAP first order kinetics. Although potent inhalation anaesthetics may alter the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone axis, they do not affect this crucial step.