NUCLEAR MAGNETIC RESONANCE STUDIES OF ANAESTHETIC INTERACTIONS WITH HAEMOGLOBIN

Abstract

The use of a 270 MHz Fourier Transform nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectrometer, combined with signal processing techniques to improve resolution, enabled proton resonances from the individual aromatic residues of haemoglobin to be distinguished. In the presence of clinical concentrations of the general anaesthetic drugs, halothane and methoxyflurane, specific changes in the NMR spectrum can be distingushed which probably reflect local changes of conformation. When higher concentrations of anaesthetic are used, extensive change in the NMR spectrum occur which are consistent with non-specific binding of the anaesthetic to the hydorphobic parts of the haemoglobin molecule.