EFFECT OF I.V. ANAESTHESIA WITH PROPOFOL ON DRUG DISTRIBUTION AND METABOLISM IN THE DOG

We have studied the effect of i.v. anaesthesia with propofol in the emulsion (Intralipid) formulation on drug distribution and metabolism in six dogs using dual-route administration of propranolol as a model compound. Each dog was studied on two consecutive days: day 1 awake and day 2 during propofol anaesthesia (6 mg kg −1 followed by an infusion of 0.8 mg kg −1 min −1 ). Propofol anaesthesia was associated with reduced intrinsic clearance by 40% (P ss ) of propranolol increased 54% from 82.5 (SEM 7.3) litre awake to 127.3 (27) litre during propofol anaesthesia (P