Differential Effects of Halothane and Thiopental on Surfactant Protein C Messenger RNA  In Vivo and  In Vitro in Rats 

Animals were treated according to the guidelines of the French Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale (INSERM) for laboratory care of animals.

Adult male pathogen-free Sprague–Dawley rats (200-220g) (Charles Rivers Breeders, St Aubin les Elbeuf, France) were used within 4 days of delivery. Animals were killed by exsanguination under general anesthesia. Halothane was purchased from Trofield (London, United Kingdom). Sodium thiopental was purchased from Specia (Paris, France). TEMED, ammonium persulfate, and guanidine thiocyanate were from Sigma (La Verpillère, France). [α-32P]UTP (128 × 10¹¹Bq/mmol) was from Amersham (Les Ulis, France). RNAse-free DNAse I and ribonucleases A and T1 were supplied from Boehringer (Mannheim, Germany). Acrylamide–bisacrylamide, phenol, urea, and proteinase K were from Appligene (Illkirch, France). BSU36I restriction enzyme was from New England Biolabs (Beverly, MA). Tissue culture media, supplements, and fetal bovine serum were from Gibco BRL Life Technologies (Cergy Pontoise, France). Tissue culture plastic was from Costar (Cambridge, MA).

Alveolar type II cells were isolated from rat lungs by elastase dissociation and purified by differential adherence to plastic as previously described. 9,11Cell isolation yield per rat and cellular viability (assessed by the Trypan blue exclusion test) were 25 ± 1.10⁶and 95 ± 5% (mean ± SD, n = 30). In this preparation, about 60% of the cells are ATII cells. 11For each experiment, freshly isolated cells from four different rats were pooled and immediately plated in 10-cm diameter cell culture plastic dishes (20 × 10⁶cells/dish) with 20 ml of Dulbecco’s modified Eagle’s medium containing 10% fetal bovine serum, 10⁵U/l penicillin, 100 mg/l streptomycin, and 0.25 mg/L amphotericin B; the cells then were exposed to the different experimental conditions (control, halothane, or thiopental). Each experiment was performed three times.

Freshly isolated ATII cells were exposed to halothane using a 12-l airtight Lwoff chamber (Lequeux, Paris, France) as previously described. 9,12The chamber atmosphere was kept continuously saturated with water at 37°C. In preliminary experiments, we observed that over an 8-h period the different culture conditions used in our experiments did not influence SP-C mRNA expression by ATII cells, the expression being similar in a standard incubator and in the sealed chamber flushed with a 95% air–5% CO²mixture. Halothane was vaporized by directing a 95% air–5% CO²mixture at 5 l/min through a calibrated Fluotec Mark II vaporizer (Abott, Paris, France) placed at the entrance of the chamber. 9Halothane concentration was monitored at the chamber exit port using a halogen monitor (Capnomac Datex, Helsinki, Finland). The effects of halothane on SP-C mRNA expression of ATII cells were assessed during a 4-h exposure with various halothane concentrations (1, 2, and 4%) and during 8-h exposure with 1% halothane.

Exposure of freshly isolated ATII cells to thiopental was achieved by addition of sodium thiopental (molecular weight: 264) to the culture medium (final concentrations: 10 and 100 μm). The cell plates were returned to a standard 95% air–5% CO2 incubator for the desired period of time (4 or 8 h). We chose thiopental concentrations consistent with those that may be observed in plasma in clinical practice. 13,14 

For each exposure condition, a control point was obtained simultaneously with ATII cells cultured in a standard 95% air–5% CO²incubator without anesthetic exposure. At the end of each experiment, supernatants and adherent cells were frozen immediately in liquid nitrogen and stored at −80°C until RNA extraction.

In all animals (adult rats weighting 200–220 g), anesthesia was induced initially with ether vapor, and then the trachea was cannulated with a 14-gauge catheter. Animals were assigned randomly for maintenance of anesthesia to inhaled 1% halothane or intraperitoneal injection of thiopental. Halothane was vaporized at 1% inspired concentration (one minimal alveolar concentration for rats) 15monitored by a halogen monitor (Capnomac Datex). Rats then were ventilated for 4 and 8 h (n = 6 animals for each duration). Thiopental-anesthetized rats received a first intraperitoneal injection of thiopental (12.5 mg/100 g weight). Three animals ventilated during 8 h needed extra doses of thiopental (3 mg/100 g weight) at the 6th h of ventilation.

Ventilator strategies were identical in all animals and consisted of a fraction of inspired oxygen of 0.21, a tidal volume of 3 ml, and a respiratory rate of 60 breaths/min without positive end-expiratory pressure. A rectal temperature probe was positioned for core temperature monitoring, and temperature was maintained with a heating pad. After 4 or 8 h of ventilation, rats were killed by aorta transsection, and the lungs were removed from the thorax and immediately frozen in liquid nitrogen and stored at −80°C until total pulmonary RNA extraction.

Six rats anesthetized with ether vapor and immediately killed by section of the abdominal aorta after trachea cannulation without additional anesthesia or mechanical ventilation,were used as a control group.

Total RNA from lung and cultured ATII cells was isolated using RNAPlus (Bioprobe, Montreuil, France) according to the instructions of the manufacturer. SP-C gene expression by rat ATII cells was evaluated by ribonuclease protection assay on total RNA solubilized in guanidine thiocyanate. 16Total RNA was cohybridized with β-actin and SP-C RNA probes. A 243-nucleotide SP-C riboprobe was obtained from SP-C complementary DNA inserts subcloned into PGEM 4Z phagemid vector. 17Riboprobe synthesis was performed in the presence of [α-32P]UTP (128 × 10¹¹Bq/mmol, 5 × 10⁴Bq) and T7 RNA polymerase after linearization of the vector by BSU36I digestion. The 144-nucleotide β-actin riboprobe was synthesized from a BSU36I rat complementary DNA insert into PGEM 3Z.

For hybridization in guanidine thiocyanate, 10 μl of appropriate dilution of RNA preparations was mixed with 2 μl of each labeled riboprobe (10⁵counts/min/μl). After overnight hybridization at room temperature, the samples were treated with ribonucleases A and T1 and exposed to proteinase K. After extraction with phenol:chloroform:isoamylalcohol, the protected RNA:RNA hybrids were precipitated and loaded on a 6% acrylamide–bisacrylamide urea denaturing gel. Quantitative analysis of radioactive protected bands was performed by direct counting of the gel (InstantImager, Packard, Groningen, The Netherlands). To control for variations in RNA loading, the ratio of the SP-C mRNA signal and the corresponding β-actin mRNA signal was calculated for each sample. 16,18Expression of β-actin mRNA has been shown to be constant under various conditions, including halothane and thiopental exposure. 18Relative changes were expressed versus control (nonexposed) cells or control (nonanesthetized, nonventilated) animals.

Results are presented as the mean ± SD. In vivo  results are derived from six animals in each group. For in vitro  experiments, cells isolated from four rats were pooled and each experimental datum was accompanied by a control datum derived from the same pool of isolated cells. In vitro  results are derived from at least three independent pools of ATII cells. Comparisons between groups were made using a Kruskall–Wallis nonparametric analysis of variance, followed in case of significance by a Mann–Whitney U test. P < 0.05 was accepted as significant.

Exposure of rat ATII cells to halothane at 1, 2, and 4% for 4 h increased the SP-C:β-actin mRNA ratiocompared with ATII cells cultured in standard conditions for 4 h. The ratio was increased to 160 ± 48%, 232 ± 53%, and 275 ± 110% with 1, 2, and 4% halothane (P < 0.05 for each comparison vs.  control value) (fig. 1). The stimulating effect of halothane appeared to be dose-dependent if the SP-C:β-actin mRNA ratio was calculated as a function of halothane concentration using a regression analysis (P = 0.032, r = 0.59, SE of the estimate = 15.35).

The culture of ATII cells with thiopental (10 and 100 μm) for 4 h increased theSP-C:β-actin mRNA ratio to 145 ± 48% and 197 ± 97%, respectively, compared with cells cultured in standard conditions (P < 0.05).

In some experiments, we evaluated the effects of higher durations of exposure. ATII cells were cultured 4 and 8 h with 1% halothane or 100 μm thiopental (fig. 2). After 4- and 8-h exposure to halothane, the SP-C:β-actin mRNA ratio in ATII cells increased to 160 ± 48% and 121 ± 43%, respectively (P < 0.05). A stronger increase in the SP-C:β-actin mRNA ratio was noted in ATII cells incubated with thiopental for 4 and 8 h (197 ± 97% and 598 ± 359% of the control values;P < 0.05).

The lung SP-C:β-actin mRNA ratio of halothane-anesthetized rats decreased to 47 ± 5% of the control value in animals anesthetized for 4 h (P < 0.05) and to 61 ± 26% in animals anesthetized for 8 h (P < 0.05), compared with (nonventilated, nonanesthetized) control animals (fig. 3). By contrast, in animals anesthetized with intraperitoneal sodium thiopental, the SP-C:β-actin mRNA ratio increased to 150 ± 77% of the control value after 4 h (P < 0.05 ). After 8 h, there was a trend toward an increase of the SP-C:β-actin mRNA ratio (124 ± 33%), which was not statistically significant.

Our study demonstrates that in vitro , halothane or thiopental used at clinically relevant concentrations and over a short time period increase the SP-C mRNA content in purified rat ATII cells. By contrast, in vivo  in mechanically ventilated rats, we observed that inhalation of 1% halothane for 4 h was associated with a marked decrease in the SP-C mRNA content, whereas thiopental anesthesia induced a moderate increase in the SP-C mRNA content.

Before the interpretation of these findings, methodologic considerations must be discussed. In the current study, we measured SP-C mRNA content using ribonuclease protection assay. This method of solution hybridization has been shown to be easier than Northern blot and an excellent method to quantify relatively abundant mRNA. 19 

We exposed freshly isolated ATII cells, which are about 60% pure, to anesthetic agents. Because expression of SP-C is specific to ATII cells, 3this probably did not influence our results, particularly if halothane or thiopental did not influence the release of factors from these others cells that could have affected the SP-C metabolism. In vitro  experiments allowed us to approach the in vivo  conditions of alveolar epithelial cells exposure to inhaled anesthetics. This model has been validated by previous studies by our group. 9,10,12Similarly, ATII cells were exposed to thiopental concentrations consistent with those measured in plasma during anesthesia after thiopental administration. 13,14These concentrations, however, are probably higher than the actual free thiopental concentrations. Moreover, thiopental concentrations in alveolar space during anesthesia are unknown.

In vivo , we studied anesthetized and mechanically ventilated rats. We used ether vapor to perform tracheotomy in rats. The effects of ether on surfactant metabolism in vivo  have not been studied. All animals, however, were exposed in similar manners to ether vapor. We believe that our in vivo  experimental model reproduces some of the usual circumstances of anesthesia in humans. One percent inspired concentration of halothane has been shown to be the minimum alveolar concentration for rats. 15 

In our study, thiopental induced a significant increase in SP-C mRNA content in both the in vivo  and the in vitro  experiments. The effects of thiopental on surfactant have not been studied extensively. Ward and Nicholas 20have shown in vivo  in rats that thiopental anesthesia inhibits surfactant phospholipid release in the alveolar compartment, leading to an increase in surfactant synthesis. Marota et al.  18have observed that thiopental in vivo  in rats increases the cerebral content of jun-B mRNA after 120 min of anesthesia. In that study, thiopental did not modify the cerebral β-actin mRNA content. In vitro , thiopental administration is associated with a significant increase in mRNA synthesis in hepatocytes. 21Phenobarbital also has been shown to increase in vivo  the hepatic α¹-acid glycoprotein mRNA content. This effect was related to a transcriptional regulation of the gene through a specific phenobarbital responsive element. 22We speculate that thiopental can increase SP-C mRNA expression through a transcriptional regulation. The variation in SP-C protein lung content induced by the variation in SP-C mRNA content, however, remains undetermined.

In vitro , we observed that halothane increased the SP-C mRNA content of ATII cells. Only a few studies have previously reported the effects of halothane on specific mRNA expression. Inhibition of RNA transcription in lymphocytes exposed to halothane for 6 hours has been described in vitro . 23,In vivo,  halothane anesthesia in rats decreases the cerebral jun-B mRNA content, 18whereas c-fos mRNA content is unchanged and decreases the lung macrophage inflammatory protein-2 mRNA content after an inflammatory challenge. 24These results highlight a differential effect of halothane on the expression of various mRNAs that could be related to transcriptional or posttranscriptional changes. To our knowledge, however, precise mechanisms of action of halothane have not been elucidated. Surprisingly, we observed opposite findings between in vivo  and in vitro  expression of SP-C mRNA exposed to halothane. Halothane produced a significant decrease in lung SP-C mRNA content in mechanically ventilated rats, whereas in vitro  halothane exposure of ATII cells increased the SP-C mRNA content. Results from in vivo  experiments reflect effects of both anesthetic agent and mechanical ventilation. Our in vivo  experimental model does not allow us to differentiate these two effects clearly. Experimental models designed to ventilate mechanically animals without anesthesia are not available. In preliminary experiments, we observed that spontaneously breathing rats anesthetized with halothane and thiopental died within 2 hours because of alveolar hypoventilation and major lung atelectasis. Experimental models of perfused and ventilated isolated lungs could have been useful to individualize the effects of mechanical ventilation on SP-C. These models, however, do not allow for ventilation of the lungs for 4 or 8 hours. Data on effects of mechanical ventilation on surfactant are scarce. Wirtz and Dobbs 25have shown that the mechanical stretch of ATII cells increases the cytosolic calcium concentration and stimulates the secretion of surfactant phospholipid. In a similar model, Gutierrez et al.  26have demonstrated that mechanical distension of ATII cells resulted in a 20% decrease in the mRNA content of SP-C and a 35% decrease of the surfactant-associated protein B mRNA content. The decrease appeared related to changes at both transcriptional and posttranscriptional levels. These data suggest that mechanical distension induced by mechanical ventilation can reduce the SP-C mRNA content in ATII cells. This effect could explain why halothane induced a mild increase in the SP-C mRNA in vitro  whereas SP-C mRNA content decreased during halothane anesthesia in mechanically ventilated rats. It also could explain why the increase in the lung SP-C mRNA content after thiopental anesthesia was much less important than the increase observed after in vitro  exposure of ATII cells to thiopental. Behavior of isolated cultured ATII cells are likely to be different from in vivo  cells because of loss of cellular interactions in vitro . These changes also could account for the discrepancy in results between our two experimental conditions.

The results of this study shows that mechanical ventilation under halothane anesthesia decreases the SP-C mRNA pulmonary content in rats, but thiopental anesthesia in the same conditions increases the SP-C mRNA content. Ventilation-induced injury such as alveolar edema has been recognized recently as one of the potential complications of mechanical ventilation. Surfactant inactivation has been suggested to be one component of various events occurring during ventilation-induced lung injury. 27Moreover, halothane can alter phosphatidyl secretion in ATII cells. 9Taken together, these experimental findings suggest potentially additive deleterious effects of volatile anesthetics and mechanical ventilation on the homeostasis of the alveolar space. This might be particularly relevant in patients with acute lung injury. In these particular clinical conditions, surfactant metabolism is already impaired. 28,29It remains to be determined whether the variations in SP-C mRNA content induced by anesthetics translate into similar variations in SP-C protein.

Our results suggest a positive effect of halothane and thiopental on the pulmonary SP-C mRNA content in rats ATII cells in vitro.  By contrast, in vivo  during anesthesia and mechanical ventilation, thiopental and halothane have different effects. Further studies are needed to address the clinical significance of these effects.

The authors thank Dr B. Escoubet, INSERM Unité 416, Faculté Bichat, Paris, for the gift of β-actin probe, and Dr. J. B. Fisher, Department of Medicine, University of Colorado, Denver, Colorado, for the gift of SP-C probe.