The Sound of Evolution
Enflurane
Mechanism of action:
Enflurane is an inhalational general anesthetic and belongs to the halogenated ether class. It enhances the inhibitory actions of GABA_A receptors and glycine receptors, promoting chloride influx and causing neuronal membrane hyperpolarization, which reduces the likelihood of neuronal firing and suppresses central nervous system activity to produce anesthetic effects. Enflurane can also inhibit NMDA receptors and certain voltage-gated sodium and calcium channels, further reducing excitatory synaptic transmission and neural network activity.
Reference(s):
1. Quail AW et al. (1989). Modern inhalational anaesthetic agents: a review of halothane, isoflurane and enflurane. Med J Aust.
2. Grasshoff C et al. (2006). Effects of isoflurane and enflurane on GABAA and glycine receptors contribute equally to depressant actions on spinal ventral horn neurones in rats. Br J Anaesth.