Effects of enflurane on adrenergic function in canine mesenteric artery and vein.

We examined the pre- and postsynaptic effects of enflurane on the superior mesenteric artery and vein. We measured the release of norepinephrine (NE) from sympathetic nerve terminals caused by electrical stimulation (ES) or potassium and changes in vascular smooth muscle tension. The effect of enflurane was also examined in the presence of alpha 1- and alpha 2-adrenoceptor antagonists. Enflurane (1.4 to 1.6 minimum alveolar anesthetic concentration [MAC] in the dog) did not alter basal tension, but it significantly inhibited tension development caused by 40 mM KCl and ES in the canine mesenteric artery and vein. Enflurane inhibited the KCl- and ES-induced release of NE from sympathetic nerve terminals in the canine mesenteric vein. The alpha 1- and alpha 2-adrenoceptor antagonists, corynanthine or yohimbine, did not modify the effect of enflurane on the ES-induced frequency response curve of the mesenteric artery and vein. These data suggest that enflurane has at least two sites of action in mesenteric vascular beds. One site is presynaptic where it inhibits NE release, and the other is a postsynaptic site distal to the adrenergic receptor where it inhibits the smooth muscle contraction process.