Anaesthetic agents and glycolysis

Summary The influence of halothane, chloroform and propanidid on hexokinase, phosphoglucose-isomerase and phosphofructokinase was studied in vitro. None of the three anaesthetic agents significantly inhibited the activity of hexokinase or phosphoglucose-isomerase preparations.A significant inhibition of phosphofructokinase was brought about by halothane, chloroform and propanidid.The inhibitory effect proved to be dependent upon the concentration of the anaesthetic drugs. It is unlikely that the resulting weak inhibition of glycolysis is causally related to the acute cardiodepressive action of the anaesthetic agents studied. However, the inhibition of glucose oxidation by halothane and other potent anaesthetic agents might be harmful after prolonged exposure, especially since significant accumulation in cardiac and other tissues occurs.