Reversible inhibition of protein synthesis in lung by halothane

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Abstract
Alterations in the synthesis and degradation of proteins were investigated in intact lungs exposed to the volatile anesthetic halothane. In rat lungs perfused in situ with Krebs-Henseleit bicarbonate buffer containing 4.5% (w/v [wt/vol]) bovine serum albumin, 5.6 mM-glucose, plasma concentrations of 19 amino acids and 690 .mu.M-[U-14C]-Phe [uniformly labeled] and equilibrated with O2N2/CO2 (4:15:1), protein synthesis, calculated based on the specific radioactivity of aminoacyl-tRNA, was inhibited by halothane. The anesthetic did not affect degradation of lung proteins. The inhibition of protein synthesis was rapid in onset, dose-dependent and quickly reversible. It did not appear to be associated with overall energy depletion, with non-specific changes in cellular permeability or with decreased availability of amino acids as substrates for protein synthesis.