AbstractsBiology & Animal Science

Ever since the anesthetic and analgesic properties of nitrous oxide were discovered, the question of how nitrous oxide produces these effects has constantly arisen. Some workers claim that, since nitrous oxide is an inert and nontoxic gas, it does not influence the metabolic processes of body tissues. Others, however, feel that the anesthetic powers of nitrous oxide are either attributable to or accompanied by, inhibitory effects on the oxidative processes of the nervous system. This study was undertaken with the view to finding out if nitrous oxide directly affects the metabolic mechanism of the tissue cells, and if so which enzyme systems are most sensitive to its action.