The effect of sevoflurane on the release of [3H]dopamine from rat brain cortical slices

Dopamine is a neurotransmitter that exerts major control on important brain functions and some lines of studies suggest that dopaminergic neurotransmission may be a potential target for volatile anesthetics. In the present study, rat brain cortical slices were labeled with [3H]dopamine to investigate the effects of sevoflurane on the release of this neurotransmitter. [3H]dopamine release was significantly increased in the presence of sevoflurane (0.46 mM) and this effect was independent of extracellular or intracellular calcium. In addition, [3H]dopamine release evoked by sevoflurane was not affected by TTX (blocker of voltage-dependent sodium channels) or reserpine (a blocker of the vesicular monoamine transporter). These data suggest that the dopamine release induced by sevoflurane is non-vesicular, independent of exocytosis and, would be mediated by the dopamine transporter (DAT). GBR12909 and nomifensine, inhibitors of DAT, decreased the release of [3H]dopamine evoked by sevoflurane. The same effect was also observed when the brain cortical slices were incubated at low temperature and low extracellular sodium. Ouabain, a Na+/K+ ATPase pump inhibitor, which is known to induce dopamine release through reverse transport, decreased [3H]dopamine release induced by sevoflurane. In conclusion, the present study suggests that sevoflurane increases [3H]dopamine release in brain cortical slices that is mediated by DAT located at the plasma membrane.