Influence of halothane and isoflurane on the contractile responses to potassium and prostaglandin F2 alpha in isolated human pial arteries

Volatile anaesthetics may modulate cerebrovascular resistance, but their direct actions on human cerebral arteries are unknown. In the present study, we have evaluated the effects of halothane and isoflurane at different MAC (0.4, 1.0 and 2.0) on contractions induced by depolarization (potassium) or receptor stimulation (prostaglandin F2 alpha) in isolated ring segments of human pial arteries. Neither halothane nor isoflurane had significant effects on potency (unaffected EC50 value) or the maximum response (Emax) in potassium-contracted arteries, even though there was a general tendency to attenuation of Emax. Similarly, the potency of prostaglandin F2 alpha was unchanged (unaffected EC50 value). However, the Emax value for prostaglandin F2 alpha at normocapnia (mean PCO2 4.3 (SEM 0.1) kPa, pH 7.41 (0.01)) and addition of halothane (0.4, 1.0 and 2.0 MAC) was significantly attenuated to 96 (2)%, 91 (3)% and 84 (4)% at the respective MAC concentrations. Isoflurane at 2 MAC and normocapnia also reduced Emax to 94 (3)%. During hypocapnia (PCO2 2.7 (0.1) kPa, pH 7.64 (0.01)), the vasodilator effect of halothane was reduced, whereas isoflurane at 0.4 and 1.0 MAC enhanced the contraction induced by prostaglandin F2 alpha.