Sevoflurane

Sevoflurane is a halogenated ether with anesthetic properties.1 It enhances the activity of GABAA and glycine receptors and inhibits the activity of nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs) and glutamate receptors. Sevoflurane enhances the responses of α2β1 subunit-containing GABAA and α1 subunit-containing glycine receptors at submaximal agonist concentrations in HEK293 cells (EC50s = 0.45 and 0.36 mM, respectively).2 Sevoflurane (360 µM) also increases the amplitude of GABAA receptor responses to GABA stimulation for receptors with an α1β2γ2 subunit composition.3 It inhibits binding of the high affinity nicotinic agonist epibatidine to nAChRs in mouse brain membranes (IC50 = 0.77 mM).4 Formulations containing sevoflurane have been used in the induction and maintenance of general anesthesia.

Reference:

[1]. Campagna, J.A., Miller, K.W., Phil, D., et al. Mechanisms of actions of inhaled anesthetics N. Engl. J. Med. 348(21), 2110-2124 (2003).
[2]. Krasowski, M.D., and Harrison, N.L. The actions of ether, alcohol and alkane general anaesthetics on GABAA and glycine receptors and the effects of TM2 and TM3 mutations Br. J. Pharmacol. 129(4), 731-743 (2000).
[3]. Nishikawa, K., and Harrison, N.L. The actions of sevoflurane and desflurane on the gamma-aminobutyric acid receptor type A: Effects of TM2 mutations in the alpha and beta subunits Anesthesiology 99(3), 678-684 (2003).
[4]. Rada, E.M., Tharakan, E.C., and Flood, P. Volatile anesthetics reduce agonist affinity at nicotinic acetylcholine receptors in the brain Anesth. Analg. 96(1), 108-111 (2003).