BIOTRANSFORMATION AND HEPATORENAL FUNCTION IN VOLUNTEERS AFTER EXPOSURE TO DESFLURANE (I-653)

Summary: Ten healthy unpremedicated male volunteers were exposed to an average inspired concentration of 3.6% desflurane (1-653) in oxygen for 89 (SD 17) min. Standard haematological and biochemical tests were performed before (control) and immediately after exposure and at 4, 24, 72 and 192 h. Liver function was assessed at these times by determining total and unconjugated (indirect) bilirubin, and plasma concentrations of aspartate amino transferase, alanine amino transferase, γglutamyl transpeptidase and alkaline phosphatase. Renal function was assessed by examining the urine microscopically for leucocytes, red blood cells, casts and crystals at these times, and creatinine clearance and urine concentrating ability were determined before and 24 and 72 h after exposure. Two additional and sensitive tests of renal integrity were performed before and 4 and 24 h after anaesthesia: measurement of urinary retinol-binding protein and β-N-acetyl-D-glucosaminidase. Serum inorganic fluoride was determined immediately before and 1, 4, 24, 48, 72 and 192 h after anaesthesia. Urinary inorganic and organic fluoride concentration and excretion rate were determined before and 24, 48, and 72 h after anaesthesia. There were no significant changes in any measured haematological or biochemical variable (other than an increase in total white cell count from 5.9 (1.3) to 8.3 (1.1) × 109 litre-1 immediately after exposure) nor in liver or renal function tests. There was no increase in serum or urinary inorganic fluoride or urinary non-volatile organic fluoride concentrations. © 1990 British Journal of Anaesthesia.