Der Anaesthesist
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The aim of the present investigations was to see, if halothane (h), enflurane (e), isoflurane (i), and methoxyflurane (m) exert cytostatic or cytotoxic effects. The experiments were performed on suspension cultures of an established line of Ehrlich ascites tumor cells, which were gased by a mixture of N2 (78%), O2 (20%), and CO2 (2%) to which the volatile anaesthetics in 5 different concentrations were added by vaporizers. Under standardized conditions (incubation time: 24 or 48 hrs; initial cell density: 2 X 10(5) cells/ml culture medium) the following results were obtained: 1. ⋯ With exception of m, which produced a significant decrease of the cellular protein content in the dose range 1.5-2.0 vol% and of the cellular DNA content in all concentrations applied the 3 other anaesthetics caused an increase of the cellular protein content and a somewhat smaller increase of the cellular nucleic acids content. The obtained results indicate that the effect of anaesthetic agents on dividing cells is not due to the same mode or site of action, but to an influence on different stage of the cell cycle, particularly the interphase. Colchicine-like c-mitosis were not obtained.
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During a three year period, pediatric patients 4 to 16 years old were post-operatively screened for anaesthesia-induced myoglobinuria. All investigated cases had general anaesthesia and received succinylcholine prior to intubation. Anaesthetics were predominantly performed for tonsillectomies and/or adenoidectomies. ⋯ Anaesthesia-induced myoglobinuria occurs more often than previously presented. This abnormal reaction to succinylcholine is not harmless in all cases. The possible genetic influence on total CPK and its isoenzymes is discussed.