The Mechanisms of the Direct Vascular Effects of Sevoflurane on Saphenous Veins in Vitro

Aim: The purpose of this study was to determine the mechanism of the directs effects of sevoflurane on human veins in vitro.
Methods: Dose-response curves were obtained for cumulative doses of sevoflurane (0.5, 1, 1.5 and 2 MAC) on saphenous vein strips precontracted with 5-hydroxytryptamine ( 5-HT 10^-6 mol/L) incubated with either Nω-nitroL-arginine-methyl ester (L-NAME) (10^-4 mol/L), indomethacine (10^-5 mol/L), glibenclamide (10^-6 mol/L) or tetraethylammonium (10^-4 mol/L)
Results: Preincubation of vein strips with tetraethylammonium (TEA, Ca⁺⁺-activated K+ channel blocker) did not influence the relaxant responses to sevoflurane (p>0.05). L-NAME, indomethacine and glibenclamide reduced the relaxation response to sevoflurane (p<0.05).
Conclusion: Our results demonstrated that sevoflurane produces concentration dependent relaxation in human saphenous vein. The relaxant effects of sevoflurane are probably related with activation of nitric oxide synthase, cyclooxygenase and K_ATP channels pathways.