Effects of halothane on renal hemodynamics and interstitial nitric oxide in rabbits

The effects of halothane on renal hemodynamics and the nitric oxide (NO)-gu anylate cyclase signaling pathway were examined in anesthetized rabbits usi ng a renal microdialysis method. Halothane (0.5 and 2 vol%) caused dose-dep endent decreases in blood pressure, renal blood flow and the renal intersti tial concentrations of guanosine 3',5'-cyclic monophosphate (cGMP) or nitra te (NO2)/nitrite (NO3). Sodium nitroprusside (20 mu g kg(-1) min(-1), i.v.) under the inhalation of halothane (2 vol%) increased the renal interstitia l concentration of cGMP. L-Arginine (priming dose, 300 mg kg(-1) 10 min(-1) ; sustaining dose, 50 mg kg(-1) min(-1), i.v.) did not reverse halothane-in duced reductions of cGMP and NO2/NO3. These findings demonstrate that halot hane caused a renal vasoconstriction and inhibited the NO-guanylate cyclase signaling pathway in the kidney. Moreover, it is possible that the renal h emodynamic responses to halothane might have been induced, in part, through this inhibition. Finally, it can be assumed that halothane did not interfe re with the activation process of guanylate cyclase by NO. (C) 1999 Elsevie r Science B.V. All rights reserved.