Isoflurane is an inhaled general anesthetic used in surgery. It can be found under the brand names Forane and Terrell and is a stable, non-explosive inhalation anesthetic, relatively free from significant side effects. Isoflurane is a general inhalation anesthetic used for induction and maintenance of general anesthesia. It induces muscle relaxation and reduces pains sensitivity by altering tissue excitability. It does so by altering the activity of the channels that underlie the action potential. Isoflurane likely binds to GABA, glutamate and glycine receptors, but has different effects on each receptor. Isoflurane acts as a positive allosteric modulator of the GABAA receptor in electrophysiology studies of neurons and recombinant receptors. GABA-A receptors are predominantly on the post-synaptic membrane, and upon activation, open chloride channels to hyperpolarize the neuron and decreased firing rate. Potentiation of GABAergic neurons produces sedation. Isoflurane binds on the benzodiazepine receptors in the post-synaptic GABA-A ligand-gated chloride channel in different sites of the central nervous system (CNS). This binding will result in an increase on the GABA inhibitory effects which is translated as an increase in the flow of chloride ions into the cell causing hyperpolarization and stabilization of the cellular plasma membrane. Some side effects of using isoflurane may include anxiety, chest tightness, confusion, and shaking.

Isoflurane GABA(A) Anesthetic Pathway References