Behaviour of urinary D-glucaric acid excretion in surgical patients and anaesthesiology staff acutely exposed to isoflurane and nitrous oxide.
Liver function abnormalities have been observed in humans exposed to anaesthetics inhalation. Furthermore, experimental studies have revealed changes in microsomal enzyme activity caused by inhalation of a variety of anaesthetics. The study was designed to assess liver microsomal enzyme function by means of a simple non-invasive test, i.e., measurement of urinary D-glucaric acid (UDGA) excretion. Three groups of selected subjects were examined: (i) 20 patients undergoing orthopaedic surgery receiving an anesthetic mixture, (ii) 18 workers of an Anesthesiology and Intensive Care Unit, occupationally exposed to anesthetics, (iii) 16 controls. Both in the patients and anesthesiology staff, the post-operative UDGA mean values were significantly increased compared to the pre-operative values. The study shows that the behaviour of UDGA excretion is similar in patients and in anaesthesiology staff. Although it is not possible to clarify the mechanism involved, this finding is regarded as a response of the liver to anaesthetics administration in patients and to both environmental pollution and occupational stress in hospital staff.
Franco
G
G
Dipartimento di Medicina preventiva, Università di Pavia.
Marraccini
P
P
Santagostino
G
G
Filisetti
P
P
Preseglio
I
I
D000328:Adult; D000776:Anesthesiology; D005937:Glucaric Acid / Q000652:urine*; D006801:Humans; D007530:Isoflurane / Q000009:adverse effects*; D008099:Liver / Q000187:drug effects; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009609:Nitrous Oxide / Q000009:adverse effects*; D016273:Occupational Exposure; D010564:Personnel, Hospital; D013514:Surgical Procedures, Operative
D007530:Isoflurane; D009609:Nitrous Oxide; D005937:Glucaric Acid