Inhibition of E-selectin-mediated leukocyte adhesion by volatile anesthetics in a static condition.

Purpose: Leukocyte recruitment from blood vessels to inflamed tissues is the central step in the process of inflammation. This may cause damage of the inflamed tissues in the case of severe inflammatory conditions such as ischemia reperfusion or graft rejection. Adhesion molecules, such as E-selectin, are induced on activated endothelium and play an important role in this process.

The volatile anesthetics halothane and isoflurane differentially modulate proinflammatory cytokine-induced p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase activation.

Purpose: Volatile anesthetics affect the cardiovascular and immune systems. Toward a better understanding of the molecular mechanisms behind the modulation exerted by these agents, we focused on the effects of halothane and isoflurane on the activation of p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK), which plays a critical role in the cellular responses to extracellular stimuli such as lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and proinflammatory cytokines, including tumor necrosis factor (TNF) and interleukin 1 (IL-1).

Methods: Human umbilical vein endothelial cells and HeLa cells, an established cell line, were examined by molecular biological methods.

Halothane inhibits an intermediate conductance Ca2+-activated K+ channel by acting at the extracellular side of the ionic pore.

Background: Actions of volatile anesthetics on ligand-gated ion channels, such as gamma-aminobutyric acid type A receptors, have been studied extensively. However, actions on other types of channels, such as K+ channels, are poorly understood. The authors previously showed that a Ca2+-activated K+ channel, IK, is sensitive to halothane, whereas SK1, another Ca2+-activated K+ channel, is insensitive.

Potentiation of proopiomelanocortin gene expression in cultured pituitary cells by benzodiazepines.

Background: Benzodiazepines are frequently used not only as a part of general anesthesia but also for the purpose of sedation during regional anesthesia. Effects of these drugs on the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis activity have been studied, but are still controversial. It is not known whether benzodiazepines affect expression of proopiomelanocortin, precursor protein of adrenocorticotropic hormone and related peptides.