Effects of isoflurane on amino acid neurotransmitter levels in rat cerebral cortex, hippocampus and spinal cord / 中华麻醉学杂志

ABSTRACT

Objective To determine the effects of isoflurane on the amino acid neurotransmitter contents in rat cerebral cortex, hippocampus and spinal cord. Methods Sixteen male SD rats weighting 220-280g were randomly divided into two groups isoflurane group (A) and control group (B). Animals in group A were killed after 30min inhalation of 1.3% isoflurane and cerebral cortex, hippocampus and spinal cord were removed immediately for determination of glutamic acid (Glu), aspartic acid (ASP), glutamine (Gln), GABA and glycine (Gly) levels by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), whereas in group B O2 was inhaled instead of isoflurane. Results As compared with control group, Asp and Glu levels in cerebral cortex and hippocampus decreased markedly while Gly level increased significantly in hippocampus and spinal cord in isoflurane group. Conclusions The inhibition of excitatory amino acid synapse transmission and augmentation of inhibitory amino acid synapse transmission may be involved in the mechanism of isoflurane anesthesia.