COMPARISON OF THE EFFECTS OF ETOMIDATE, THIOPENTONE AND PROPOFOL ON CORTISOL SYNTHESIS

Abstract

The inhibitory effects of etomidate, thiopentone and propofol on basal and ACTH-stimulated cortisol synthesis by isolated bovine adrenocortical cells were examined. Concentrations required for 50% inhibition of ACTH-stimulated cortisol output were 1.1 .times. 10-4 mol/l for propofol, 3 .times. 10-5 mol/l for thiopentone and 4.6 .times. 10-1 mol/l for etomidate. At concentrations likely to be achieved during anesthesia, etomidate would block cortisol output by isolated cells, thiopentone might slightly reduce output and propofol would be unlikely to alter cortisol synthesis significantly.