title: Sevoflurane reduces endothelium-dependent vasorelaxation: role of superoxide anion and endothelin.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  There are several reports suggesting that volatile anesthetics alter vascular endothelial function. We analyzed the effect of sevoflurane, a fluorinated volatile anesthetic, on nitric oxide (NO)-dependent relaxation, evaluating the role of the endothelium-derived vasoconstrictor endothelin-1 (ET-1).
  
  
  METHODS
  The experiments were performed in rat isolated aortic segments aerated in the absence and in the presence of sevoflurane (2%).
  
  
  RESULTS
  Acetylcholine-induced relaxation was reduced in aortic segments aerated with sevoflurane. Sevoflurane failed to modify relaxation in response to an exogenous NO donor, sodium nitroprusside. Superoxide dismutase, a scavenger of superoxide anion, partially restored the impaired vasorelaxation induced by sevoflurane, an effect that was associated with the release of superoxide anion. The presence of BQ-123, an antagonist of endothelin ETA-type receptors, normalized the vasorelaxing response to acetylcholine in the presence of sevoflurane. In addition, BQ-123 also reduced the ability of the sevoflurane-incubated vascular wall to release superoxide anion.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Our results suggest that sevoflurane impairs the endothelium-dependent vasorelaxation but that the endothelium-independent response remains intact. ET-1 and superoxide anion are involved in the endothelial dysfunction induced by sevoflurane. Further studies are needed to associate the endothelial dysfunction related to sevoflurane shown herein and its reported preconditioning properties on the myocardium.
authors: Cardiovascular Research and Hypertension Laboratory, Fundación Jiménez Díaz, Madrid, Spain.
authors: María M
authors: MM
authors: Arriero
authors: Luis
authors: L
authors: Muñoz Alameda
authors: Antonio
authors: A
authors: López-Farré
authors: Marta
authors: M
authors: Escribano Burgos
authors: Carolina
authors: C
authors: Carrasco
authors: Inmaculada
authors: I
authors: Millás
authors: Angel
authors: A
authors: Celdrán
authors: Juan Carlos
authors: JC
authors: de la Pinta
mesh_terms: D018685:Anesthetics, Inhalation / Q000494:pharmacology*; D000818:Animals; D001013:Aorta, Thoracic / Q000187:drug effects; D016232:Endothelins / Q000502:physiology*; D004730:Endothelium, Vascular / Q000502:physiology*; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D008297:Male; D008738:Methyl Ethers / Q000494:pharmacology*; D009126:Muscle Relaxation / Q000187:drug effects; D009131:Muscle, Smooth, Vascular / Q000187:drug effects*; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D000077149:Sevoflurane; D013481:Superoxides / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D018685:Anesthetics, Inhalation; D016232:Endothelins; D008738:Methyl Ethers; D013481:Superoxides; D000077149:Sevoflurane