Abstract
The structural organization of membrane proteins and their interaction with lipids renders them sensitive to perturbations of organic solvents. Some membrane proteins are inhibited up to 50 per cent at the anaesthetic concentration of many inhalation anaesthetics, aliphatic and aromatic hydrocarbons, alcohols, ketones, esters and alkanes (Franks and Lieb 1982). Hydrophilic pockets of proteins may bind anaesthetics with high selectivity and cause conformational changes. Changes of the allosteric properties of membrane proteins may provide a possible mechanism of anaesthesia. The aim of the present study was to evaluate whether peripheral erythrocyte and platelet membranes as well as cerebral synaptosome membranes can be used in determinations of the anaesthetic potency of organic solvents.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Access this chapter
Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout
Purchases are for personal use only
References
Franks NP, Lieb WR (1982) Molecular mechanism of general anaesthesia. Nature, London 300:487–493
Korpela M, Tähti H (1986) The effect of selected organic solvents on intact human red cell membrane acetylcholinesterase in vitro.Toxicol Appl Pharmacol 85:257–262
Korpela M, Tähti H (1987) Effects of industrial solvents on human erythrocyte membrane adenosine triphosphatase activities in vitro. Scand J Work Environ Health 13:513–517
Korpela M, Tähti H (1988) The effect of in vitro and in vivo toluene exposure on rat erythrocyte and synaptosome membrane integral enzymes. Pharmacol Toxicol 63:30–32
Lowry OH, Lopez JA (1946) The determination of inorganic phosphate in the presence of labile phosphate esters. J Biol Chem 198:421–428
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Editor information
Editors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
Copyright information
© 1991 Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg
About this paper
Cite this paper
Tähti, H., Valaja, A. (1991). The Mechanism of the Anaesthetic Action of Organic Solvents Studied with Different Membrane Models in Vitro. In: Chambers, P.L., Chambers, C.M., Wiezorek, W.D., Golbs, S. (eds) Recent Developments in Toxicology: Trends, Methods and Problems. Archives of Toxicology, vol 14. Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-74936-0_57
Download citation
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-74936-0_57
Publisher Name: Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg
Print ISBN: 978-3-540-51422-0
Online ISBN: 978-3-642-74936-0
eBook Packages: Springer Book Archive