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 and desflurane on hepatocellular function. Twenty male patients undergoing elective surgery were randomly assigned to receive either isoflurane or desflurane anaesthesia. Alpha glutathione S-transferase concentrations and aminotransferase activities were measured at induction of anaesthesia (t0), 15 min (t1), 90 min after induction (t2), end of surgery (t3) and 2 h thereafter (t4). 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 microg.l-1 at t0 to 6.1 (1.9) microg.l-1 at t2 and to 7.8 (2.1) microg.l-1 at t3. A significant difference in alpha glutathione S-transferase concentration between the two groups was found at t2 and t3. The significant increases in alpha glutathione S-transferase concentrations in patients receiving isoflurane suggest a transient disturbance of hepatocellular function.