Desflurane-induced preconditioning has a threshold that is lowered by repetitive application and is mediated by beta 2-adrenergic receptors.
OBJECTIVE
An optimal administration protocol to induce a maximal effect of anesthetic preconditioning has not been evaluated to date. In this study, desflurane preconditioning was characterized with respect to its threshold, dose dependency, and continuous versus repetitive application. Furthermore, the role of beta(2)-adrenergic receptors in anesthetic preconditioning was tested.


METHODS
A randomized controlled study.


METHODS
Laboratory study in a University hospital.


METHODS
New Zealand white rabbits in vivo.


METHODS
Systemic hemodynamics were continuously measured. Rabbits were subjected to 30 minutes of coronary artery occlusion and 3 hours of reperfusion. Animals received desflurane continuously for 30 minutes at 0.5, 1.0, or 1.5; desflurane for 90 minutes at 0.5 or 1.5 MAC; or repetitively for three 10-minute periods at 0.5, 1.0, or 1.5 MAC before coronary occlusion. The beta(2)-adrenergic receptor blocker ICI 118,551 (0.2 mg/kg) or saline placebo was given in the absence or presence of 1.0 MAC desflurane. Myocardial infarct size was measured with triphenyltetrazolium staining.


RESULTS
Myocardial infarct size was 61% +/- 5% in control experiments. Desflurane, administered continuously at 0.5 MAC for 30 minutes (52% +/- 4%) or 90 minutes (56% +/- 8%) had no effect, whereas 0.5 MAC of desflurane given repetitively reduced infarct size to 36% +/- 7%. Desflurane administered continuously for 30 minutes at 1.0 or 1.5 MAC reduced infarct size to 35% +/- 5% and 39% +/- 4%, respectively. Repetitive application at 1.0 MAC (37% +/- 6%) or 1.5 MAC (29% +/- 4%) and continuous administration of 1.5 MAC for 90 minutes (32% +/- 6%) did not result in further infarct size reduction. ICI 118,551 did not affect infarct size (53% +/- 2%) but abolished desflurane preconditioning (51% +/- 5%).


CONCLUSIONS
beta(2)-Adrenergic receptors mediate desflurane-induced preconditioning. Desflurane-induced preconditioning has a threshold that can be lowered by repetitive administration.
Lange
Markus
M
Department of Anesthesiology and Critical Care, University of Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany. lange_m@klinik.uni-wuerzburg.de
Redel
Andreas
A
Smul
Thorsten M
TM
Lotz
Christopher
C
Nefzger
Tobias
T
Stumpner
Jan
J
Blomeyer
Christoph
C
Gao
Feng
F
Roewer
Norbert
N
Kehl
Franz
F
D000818:Animals; D000077335:Desflurane; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D019157:Ischemic Preconditioning, Myocardial / Q000379:methods*; D007530:Isoflurane / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000031:analogs & derivatives*; D008297:Male; D018696:Neuroprotective Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage; D011817:Rabbits; D018343:Receptors, Adrenergic, beta-2 / Q000502:physiology*
D018696:Neuroprotective Agents; D018343:Receptors, Adrenergic, beta-2; D000077335:Desflurane; D007530:Isoflurane