The effect of halothane, enflurane, and isoflurane on RNA synthesis in isolated rat liver cell nuclei.

The effect of halothane, enflurane, and isoflurane inhaled in vivo on the in vitro transcription in isolated liver cell nuclei was studied in female Wistar rats. After 0.45-0.48 MAC of any of the three anesthetics in oxygen for 18 hours, in vitro RNA synthesis increased, a maximum being found on the third day after inhalation of halothane, on the second day in enflurane, and immediately after cessation of inhalation in the case of isoflurane. A similar stimulation of RNA synthesis was observed in rats given phenobarbital in the drinking water. The possibility that the observed increase in the transcription rate is related with enzyme induction is discussed.