Interaction of halogenated anesthetics with alpha- and beta-adrenoceptor stimulations in diabetic rat myocardium

Abstract

Background: Halogenated anesthetics potentiate the positive inotropic effects of alpha- and beta-adrenoceptor stimulations. Although diabetes mellitus induces significant myocardial abnormalities, the interaction of halogenated anesthetics and adrenoceptor stimulation in diabetic myocardium remains unknown.

Methods: Left ventricular papillary muscles were provided from healthy and streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats. Effects of 1 minimum alveolar concentration halothane, isoflurane, and sevoflurane on the inotropic and lusitropic responses of alpha (phenylephrine)- and beta (isoproterenol)-adrenoceptor stimulations were studied at 29 degrees C with 12 pulses/min. Data shown are mean percentage of baseline active force +/- SD.

Results: Phenylephrine induced comparable positive inotropic effects in healthy and diabetic rats (143 +/- 8 vs. 136 +/- 18%; not significant), but the potentiation by halogenated anesthetics was abolished in the diabetic rats (121 +/- 20, 130 +/- 20, and 123 +/- 20% for halothane, isoflurane, and sevoflurane, respectively; not significant). In diabetic rats, the positive inotropic effect of isoproterenol was markedly diminished (109 +/- 9 vs. 190 +/- 18%; P < 0.05), but its potentiation was preserved with isoflurane (148 +/- 21%; P < 0.05) and sevoflurane (161 +/- 40%; P < 0.05) but not with halothane (126 +/- 16%; not significant). Halothane induced a deleterious effect on the sarcoplasmic reticulum, as shown by its impairment in the lusitropic effect of isoproterenol, compared with isoflurane and sevoflurane.

Conclusion: Potentiation of the positive inotropic effect of alpha-adrenoceptor stimulation by halogenated anesthetics is abolished in diabetic rats. In contrast, potentiation of beta-adrenoceptor stimulation is preserved with isoflurane and sevoflurane but not with halothane, probably because of its deleterious effects on sarcoplasmic reticulum.