The effects of thiopentone on free intracellular amino acids in polymorphonuclear leucocytes.

Previous studies have shown the inhibitory effects of thiopentone on polymorphonuclear leucocyte (PML) function. However, major biochemical mechanisms which have been involved are still unknown. The aim of this study was therefore to investigate thiopentone's effects on intracellular amino acid metabolism in PML using both advanced PML separation- and HPLC techniques, especially developed for this purpose and precisely validated in our institute. Overall, our study indicates important dose-dependent alterations of free intracellular amino acid metabolism following thiopentone treatment and draw attention to the biochemical mechanisms which may be involved in both thiopentone-induced modulation in PML function and cellular immunocompetence.