Comparison of the effects of desflurane and isoflurane anaesthesia on hepatocellular function assessed by alpha glutathione S-transferase

The purpose of this study was to investigate the influence of isoflurane an d desflurane on hepatocellular function. Twenty male patients undergoing el ective surgery were randomly assigned to receive either isoflurane or desfl urane anaesthesia. Alpha glutathione S-transferase concentrations and amino transferase activities were measured at induction of anaesthesia (t(0)), 15 min (t(1)), 90 min after induction (t(2)),end of surgery (t(3)) and 2 h th ereafter (t(4)). A significant increase in alpha glutathione S-transferase concentration was observed only in the isoflurane group. Alpha glutathione S-transferase levels increased significantly from 2.3 mu gl(-1) at t(0) to 6.1 (1.9) mu g.l(-1) at t(2) and to 7.8 (2.1) mu g.l(-1) at t(3). A signifi cant difference in alpha glutathione S-transferase concentration between th e two groups was found at t(2) and t(3). The significant increases in alpha glutathione S-transferase concentrations in patients receiving isoflurane suggest a transient disturbance of hepatocellular function.