Effects of propofol on AMPA receptor expression in hippocampus of neonatal rats / 中华麻醉学杂志

ABSTRACT

Objective:To evaluate the effects of propofol on α-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methyl-4-isoxazole-propionate (AMPA) receptor expression in the hippocampus of neonatal rats.Methods:Eighty-four clean-grade healthy Sprague-Dawley rats of either sex, aged 7 days, weighing 14-18 g, were divided into 2 groups ( n=42 each) using a random number table method: control group (group C) and propofol group (group P). Propofol 30 mg/kg was intraperitoneally injected in group P, fat emulsion 3 mg/kg was intraperitoneally injected in group C, 1/2 of the initial dose was given at a 20 min interval, 3 times in total, for 3 consecutive days.The arterial blood samples were taken for blood gas analysis after administration on 1st day.The rats were sacrificed at 3, 7 and 28 days after the last administration of propofol, and the bilateral hippocampus was obtained for detection of the expression of AMPA receptors containing GluR1, GluR2 and GluR3 subunits in total and membrane protein (by Western blot), and the ratio of membrane protein to total protein (M/T) was calculated.The concentrations of free calcium ion were measured.The learning and memory ability was evaluated by Morris water maze test on 28 days after the last administration. Results:Compared with group C, the expression of AMPA receptor containing GluR1 subunit in total and membrane protein was significantly up-regulated, M/T was increased, the expression of AMPA receptor containing GluR2 subunit in total and membrane protein was down-regulated, and M/T was decreased at each time point ( P<0.05), no significant change was found in the expression of AMPA receptor containing GluR3 subunits ( P>0.05), the concentrations of free calcium ion in hippocampal cells were increased, and the escape latency was prolonged, the number of crossing the original platform was decreased, and the time of staying at the target quadrant was shortened at 2-4 days of training in group P ( P<0.05). Conclusion:The mechanism by which propofol reduces cognitive function is related to up-regulation of the expression of AMPA receptors containing GluR1 subunit in the hippocampus and down-regulation of the expression of AMPA receptors containing GluR2 subunits, which increases the concentration of free calcium ions in nerve cells of neonatal rats.