Effects of isoflurane and ethanol on large conductance Ca2+-activated K~+ channels

Objective: To study the effect of isoflurane and ethanol on large conductance Ca 2+-activated K + channels(BK channels). Methods: The cRNA of mslo1 encoding BK channels was injected into Xenopus oocytes. Oocytes were incubated in ND96 (96 mmol/L NaCl, 2.0 mmol/L KCl, 1.8 mmol/L CaCl 2, 1.0 mmol/L MgCl 2, and 5.0 mmol/L HEPES, pH 7.4) at 4 ℃. Patch clamp recording (outside-out) were performed after 2-3 d. Isoflurane was administrated by the vaporizer driven by air, ethanol was applied by a closed, manual-controlled administration system. Different test potentials from 0 to 10 mV were given to observe changes of currents. Results: 0.7 mmol/L and 1.2 mmol/L of isoflurane could inhibit BK currents obviously at different command potentials, but 50 mmol/L, 100 mmol/L, or 200 mmol/L of ethanol had no any effect on BK currents. Conclusion: Clinical concentration of isoflurane can distinctly inhibit isolating BK currents.