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Title: Modification of sodium and potassium channel gating kinetics by ether and halothane

Journal Article · · J. Gen. Physiol.; (United States)
DOI:https://doi.org/10.1085/jgp.77.3.233· OSTI ID:5473745

The effects of ether and halothane on the kinetics of sodium and potassium currents were investigated in the crayfish giant axon. Both general anesthetics produced a reversible, dose-dependent speeding up of sodium current inactivation at all membrane potentials, with no change in the rising phase of the currents. Double-pulse inactivation experiments with ether also showed faster inactivation, but the rate of recovery from inactivation at negative potentials was not affected. Ether shifted the midpoint of the steady-state fast inactivation curve in the hyperpolarizing direction and made the curve steeper. The activation of potassium currents was faster with ether present, with no change in the voltage dependence of steady-state potassium currents. Ether and halothane are known to perturb the structure of lipid bilayer membranes; the alterations in sodium and potassium channel gating kinetics are consistent with the hypothesis that the rats of the gating processes of the channels can be affected by the state of the lipids surrounding the channels, but a direct effect of ether and halothane on the protein part of the channels cannot be ruled out.

Research Organization:
Univ. of Rochester Medical Center, NY
DOE Contract Number:
AC02-76EV03490
OSTI ID:
5473745
Journal Information:
J. Gen. Physiol.; (United States), Vol. 77
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English