['The study investigates the influence of enflurane (EN) on macroscopic currents of the nicotinic acetylcholinergic receptor channel (nAChR). This ion channel is a representative member of the superfamily of ligand-gated receptor channels and is better characterized than all the other receptors in respect of structure and function.', 'For the experiments the patch-clamp technique was used to study the embryonic type of the nAChR expressed by cultured mouse-myotubes. Patch-clamp recordings were performed in the outside-out-mode from these preparations. To match the rapid desensitization kinetics of ligand-activated ion channels, a liquid filament switch technique was used for the application of agonists to the excised patches. This technique allows for change of solution within 300 microseconds. We used a saturating concentration of 10(-4) M acetylcholine (ACh), activating almost all available ion channels on a patch. Pulses of 10(-4) M ACh together with EN in different concentrations were applied repetitively.', 'The current elicited by 10(-4) M ACh is reduced reversibly in a concentration-dependent manner by EN in clinically relevant concentrations: 1,44 x 10(-5) M EN inhibit about 10%, 1.44 x 10(-4) M 25%, 1.44 x 10(-3) M 35%, and 1.44 x 10(-2) M 75% of the ion flux (averaged results from 48 patches). EN decreases the time constant of the current decay. This acceleration of desensitisation kinetics is partly reversible if followed by application of 10(-4) M ACh.'] Does [ Enflurane block ion current through the nicotinic acetylcholine receptor ]?