Alteration by Halothane of Glucose and Glycogen Metabolism in Rat Skeletal Muscle

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Abstract
Exposure of resting rat diaphragm for 1 h in vitro to halothane (1-1.5, 2-2.5 and 4-4.5% in O2) produced significant alterations of intracellular glucose disposition. Glycolysis (as measured by lactate production) increased, while glycogen formation was inhibited in a dose-related fashion. Net glucose uptake was unaffected by the anesthetic except during exposure to 4-4.5% halothane, when 14% depression of uptake was found. Total glycogen content decreased, due mainly to the inhibition of glycogen synthesis and to some extent to a stimulation of glycogenolysis. The anesthetic did not interfere with the effect of insulin on glucose uptake or the intracellular disposition of glucose. Creatine phosphate concentrations decreased following exposure of diaphragm to 1-1.5, 2-2.5 and 4-4.5% halothane, while the ATP concentration declined after exposure to 4-4.5% only. Although the mechanism(s) whereby halothane alters glucose and glycogen metabolism are unknown, the anesthetic acted primarily by affecting membranes containing enzymes involved in the metabolism of glycogen.

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