Effects of isoflurane anesthesia on NR1 expression and neuronal apoptosis in hippocampus and cortex of adult rats / 中华麻醉学杂志

ABSTRACT

Objective To evaluate the effects of isoflurane anesthesia on NR1 expression and neuronal apoptosis in the hippocampus and cortex of adult rats .Methods Thirty-six adult male Sprague-Dawley rats , weighing 250-280 g ,were randomly assigned into 3 groups using a random number tablecontrol group (group C , n=6 ) ,O2 inhalation group (group O , n=6 ) and isoflurane anesthesia group (group I , n=24 ) .The rats were exposed to 2% isoflurane (group I) ,to pure oxygen (group O) ,or to air (group C) for 2 h .At 2 h ,and 1 ,7 and 14 days after the rats were awake (T1-4 ) ,Morris water maze test was performed .The rats were then sacrificed and brains were removed for isolation of the hippocampus and cortex .NR1 expression was detected using SABC immuno-histochemical technique and neuronal apoptosis was determined using TUNEL .Results Compared with group C , the escape latency at T2 and total swimming distance at T1 ,2 were significantly prolonged , and the expression of NR1 in hippocampi was down-regulated at T1 ,2 in group I ,and the expression of NR1 in the cortex was down-regulated in O and I groups ( P 0.05 ) .Conclusion Isoflurane anesthesia can decrease the cognitive function transiently ,which is related to inhibition of up-regulation of NR1 expression in the hippocampi ,but not related to neuronal apoptosis in adult rats .