Biomaterial Database

A possible role for phospholipase A2 in the action of general anesthetics. 1996

D D Denson, and R T Worrell, and D C Eaton

Department of Anesthesiology, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia 30322, USA.

General anesthetics inhibit Ca(2+)-activated potassium (BK) channels at clinically relevant concentrations. This study examined the possibility that general anesthetics produce their effect on BK channels by disrupting the phospholipase A2 (PLA2)-arachidonic acid signal transduction pathway. Treatment of excised patches with exogenous arachidonic acid (2.5 microM) resulted in a 3.6 +/- 1.3-fold increase in BK channel activity. Subsequent exposure of these patches to concentrations of halothane (0.6 mM), ketamine (100 microM), or etomidate (10 microM) that would normally block the channel by approximately 60-80% in the absence of arachidonic acid did not reduce the channel activity. Arachidonic acid resulted in a significant increase in the 50% effective concentration for the ketamine dose-response curve from 3.4 +/- 0.4 to 693 +/- 379 microM (P < 0.001) as well as a significant decrease in slope from 1.40 +/- 0.21 to 0.59 +/- 0.05 (P < 0.001). The PLA2 inhibitors quinacrine (1 microM), aristolochic acid (250 microM), and octadecylbenzoylacrylic acid (7 microM) inhibited BK channels by 61 +/- 6, 47 +/- 2, and 30 +/- 9%, respectively, and in a manner indistinguishable from general anesthetics inhibition. Aristolochic acid and ketamine significantly inhibit the PLA2-mediated production of arachidonic acid in GH3 cells.

UI	MeSH Term	Description	Entries
D007649	Ketamine	A cyclohexanone derivative used for induction of anesthesia. Its mechanism of action is not well understood, but ketamine can block NMDA receptors (RECEPTORS, N-METHYL-D-ASPARTATE) and may interact with sigma receptors.	2-(2-Chlorophenyl)-2-(methylamino)cyclohexanone,CI-581,Calipsol,Calypsol,Kalipsol,Ketalar,Ketamine Hydrochloride,Ketanest,Ketaset,CI 581,CI581
D008555	Melitten	Basic polypeptide from the venom of the honey bee (Apis mellifera). It contains 26 amino acids, has cytolytic properties, causes contracture of muscle, releases histamine, and disrupts surface tension, probably due to lysis of cell and mitochondrial membranes.	Melittin,Mellitin
D010741	Phospholipases A	Phospholipases that hydrolyze one of the acyl groups of phosphoglycerides or glycerophosphatidates.
D002118	Calcium	A basic element found in nearly all tissues. It is a member of the alkaline earth family of metals with the atomic symbol Ca, atomic number 20, and atomic weight 40. Calcium is the most abundant mineral in the body and combines with phosphorus to form calcium phosphate in the bones and teeth. It is essential for the normal functioning of nerves and muscles and plays a role in blood coagulation (as factor IV) and in many enzymatic processes.	Coagulation Factor IV,Factor IV,Blood Coagulation Factor IV,Calcium-40,Calcium 40,Factor IV, Coagulation
D002460	Cell Line	Established cell cultures that have the potential to propagate indefinitely.	Cell Lines,Line, Cell,Lines, Cell
D005045	Etomidate	Imidazole derivative anesthetic and hypnotic with little effect on blood gases, ventilation, or the cardiovascular system. It has been proposed as an induction anesthetic.	Ethomidate,Hypnomidate,R-26490,Radenarkon,R 26490,R26490
D006221	Halothane	A nonflammable, halogenated, hydrocarbon anesthetic that provides relatively rapid induction with little or no excitement. Analgesia may not be adequate. NITROUS OXIDE is often given concomitantly. Because halothane may not produce sufficient muscle relaxation, supplemental neuromuscular blocking agents may be required. (From AMA Drug Evaluations Annual, 1994, p178)	1,1,1-Trifluoro-2-Chloro-2-Bromoethane,Fluothane,Ftorotan,Narcotan
D015117	5,8,11,14-Eicosatetraynoic Acid	A 20-carbon unsaturated fatty acid containing 4 alkyne bonds. It inhibits the enzymatic conversion of arachidonic acid to prostaglandins E(2) and F(2a).	ETYA,5,8,11,14 Eicosatetraynoic Acid,Ro 3-1428,Ro 3 1428,Ro 31428
D015221	Potassium Channels	Cell membrane glycoproteins that are selectively permeable to potassium ions. At least eight major groups of K channels exist and they are made up of dozens of different subunits.	Ion Channels, Potassium,Ion Channel, Potassium,Potassium Channel,Potassium Ion Channels,Channel, Potassium,Channel, Potassium Ion,Channels, Potassium,Channels, Potassium Ion,Potassium Ion Channel
D016718	Arachidonic Acid	An unsaturated, essential fatty acid. It is found in animal and human fat as well as in the liver, brain, and glandular organs, and is a constituent of animal phosphatides. It is formed by the synthesis from dietary linoleic acid and is a precursor in the biosynthesis of prostaglandins, thromboxanes, and leukotrienes.	(all-Z)-5,8,11,14-Eicosatetraenoic acid,Arachidonic Acid, (all-Z)-Isomer, 1-(14)C-Labeled,Arachidonic Acid, (all-Z)-isomer, 3H-Labeled,Arachidonic Acid, Ammonium Salt, (all-Z)-Isomer,Arachidonic Acid, Cerium Salt, (all-Z)-Isomer,Arachidonic Acid, Cesium Salt, (all-Z)-Isomer,Arachidonic Acid, Lithium Salt, (all-Z)-Isomer,Arachidonic Acid, Potassium Salt, (all-Z)-Isomer,Arachidonic Acid, Sodium Salt,Arachidonic Acid, Sodium Salt, (all-Z)-Isomer,Arachidonic Acid, Zinc Salt, (all-Z)-Isomer,Sodium Arachidonate,Vitamin F,Arachidonate, Sodium