Could Endothelial Caveolae be the Target of General Anaesthetics

Abstract

Most volatile or i.v. general anaesthetics alter cardiovascular function, often through endothelial-dependent mechanisms. They also have profound effects on plasma membrane properties. Caveolae are specialized subdomains of the plasma membrane with a distinct lipid and protein composition, which play an essential role in the physiology of endothelial cells (ECs). At present, it is unknown whether anaesthetics affect caveolae. However, accumulating evidence obtained either in caveolae research or in anaesthesia research, suggests that caveolae might be perturbed by volatile anaesthetics. This editorial proposes that the endothelium-dependent effects of anaesthetics on the cardiovascular system may be caveolae-mediated, and presents evidence to support this novel model. Inhaled and i.v. general anaesthetics produce drug-specific circulatory effects, resulting in changes in systemic vascular resistance, systemic blood pressure, heart rate, cardiac output, stroke volume, right atrial pressure and coronary blood flow. These haemodynamic changes are believed to arise from actions of the anaesthetic agents on the . .