The Effects of Deuteration on the Metabolism of Halogenated Anesthetics in the Rat

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Abstract
The effects of substituting deuterium [D] for H in several volatile anesthetics on their metabolism in the Fischer rat was studied. Substitution of D in the ethyl portion of methoxyflurane increased the metabolic production of F ion by 19% when administered at a concentration of 0.05%. Total replacement of H by D caused a 29% decrease in the amount of F produced, while deuteration of only the methoxyl group produced a 33% decrease in fluoride produced. Deuteration of halothane resulted in a 15 or 26% decrease in serum bromide at 0.75% or 1.0%, respectively. Deuteration in the ethyl portions of enflurane and 2 experimental agents, CF2HOCF2CFBrH [difluororoflurane] and CF2HOCF2CCl2H [difluoromethoxyflurane] caused 65, 76 and 29% decreases in urinary F, respectively. Anesthesia with deuterated chloroform at a concentration of 0.36% produced a 35% decrease in serum glutamic pyruvic transaminase (SGPT). Apparently deuteration of volatile anesthetics changes their metabolism, in most cases producing decreases in metabolism. This effect may lessen the organ toxicity believed to occur with some of the anesthetics.