Plasma glutathione S-transferase concentration as a measure of hepatocellular integrity following a single general anaesthetic with halothane, enflurane or isoflurane.

The plasma concentration of hepatic glutathione S-transferase (GST) was measured in matched groups of patients who received halothane, enflurane or isoflurane anaesthesia for elective minor surgery. The GST concentrations increased significantly at 3 h after anaesthesia in patients who received halothane or enflurane, but not in patients who were given isoflurane. A secondary increase in GST concentration, at 24 h, was seen in a small number of individuals who received halothane or enflurane. Abnormal GST concentrations were found in 50% of patients following halothane anaesthesia, 20% following enflurane and 11% after isoflurane. The small but significant increases in GST concentrations in patients receiving halothane or enflurane suggests an impairment of hepatocellular integrity following the administration of these anaesthetics. In contrast, isoflurane anaesthesia did not appear to be associated with this effect.