Some early biochemical changes in rat brain after single exposure to anaesthetic ether

A single sublethal, short term exposure to anaesthetic ether, caused leakage of proteins from mitochondria, without any. major change in cytosolic lactic dehydrogenase and mitochondrial cytochrome oxidase activity. A higher rate of lipid peroxidation in the treated rats indicated damage to biomembranes. A significant increase in cytosolic Ou-Zn superoxide dismutase immediately after the ether exposure was also observed. The initial rate of incorporation of radioactive glycine into RNA was two fold higher on ether exposure, suggesting a possible higher m-RNA turnover.