EFFECT OF PROPOFOL, THIOPENTONE AND ETOMIDATE ON ADRENAL STEROIDOGENESIS IN VITRO

Abstract
The i.v. anesthetic agents propofol, thiopentone and etomidate inhibited ACTH-stimulated production of cortisol by guinea pig dispersed adrenal cells in a dose-related manner. For 2 of the drugs, propofol and thiopentone, inhibition occurred over a similar concentration range: 2 .times. 10-5 - 5 .times. 10-4 mol/l. With etomidate, inhibition occurred over a much lower concentration range (5 .times. 10-8 - 5 .times. 10-6 mol/l). The concentrations of anesthetic which induced 50% inhibition of cortisol secretion were propofol 1.7 .times. 10-4 thiopentone 1.6 .times. 10-4 and etomidate 1.0 .times. 10-7 mol/l.