The effect of general anaesthetics on active cation transport in human erythrocytes

Abstract

The effects of the general anaesthetics ether and chloroform on the active cation transport in human erythrocytes are reported. The rate of active K + and Na + transport is enhanced by the presence of anaesthetics. The level of activation of the Na + pump depends on the internal Na + and the external K + concentrations and by varying these concentrations it was shown that the anaesthetics act by increasing the degree of activation of the active transport process. Anaesthetics do not affect the maximum possible pump rate.