Inhibitory effects of isoflurane and nonimmobilizing halogenated compounds on neuronal nicotinic acetylcholine receptors

Abstract

Background: Neuronal nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAchRs) are inhibited by low concentrations of volatile anesthetics. However, it is not clear whether this phenomenon contributes to the anesthetic effects of volatile anesthetics. Effects of a volatile anesthetic (isoflurane) and structurally related nonimmobilizers (F6: 1,2-dichlorohexafluorocyclobutane, F8: 2,3-dichlorooctafluorobutane) on the current mediated through neuronal nAchRs were studied. Method: This study investigated neuronal nAchRs in PC12 cells and acutely dissociated rat medial habenula (MHb) neurons. Whole cell currents elicited by 30 μM nicotine were recorded in the absence and presence of the halogenated agents. The minimum alveolar concentrations (MACs) for F6 and F8 were predicted from Meyer-Overton correlation. Results: All halogenated compounds inhibited the nicotineinduced current in a concentration-dependent manner in PC12 cells. In MHb neurons, while isoflurane and F6 significantly inhibited the nicotine-induced peak current, F8 failed to inhibit it. The peak currents in the presence of isoflurane at 1.7 MAC, of F6 at 2.4 MAC, and of F8 at 2.2 MAC were 12, 31, and 97% of control, respectively. Conclusions: Isoflurane, F6, and F8 inhibited ganglion-type nAchRs in PC12 cells independent from their abilities to produce the anesthetic state. In MHb neurons, isoflurane and F6, which lack the immobilizing effect but has the amnesic effect, inhibited nAchRs. Native brain nicotinic receptors in MHb neurons were almost insensitive to F8, which lacks both the immobilizing and the amnesic effect. These results are consistent with the hypothesis that inhibition of nAchRs in MHb neurons is not important for the anesthetic effect but may contribute to the amnesic effect of these agents.