Cardioprotective Effects Induced by Preconditioning with Halogenated Anesthetics

Abstract

Abstract Background: Numerous studies discuss the protective effects of halogenated anesthetics on myocyte injury induced by the ischemia-reperfusion syndrome of the heart. This mechanism is known as pharmacological preconditioning. Aim of the study: The objective of this study was to identify the effects of two volatile anesthetics frequently used in current clinical practice, Isoflurane and Sevoflurane, on the in situ heart. The study was performed on laboratory animals with induced brain death. Material and methods: The animals were divided into 3 groups, the control group (n = 8), IZO-PRE group (n = 8) and SEVO-PRE group (n = 8), on which the experimental protocol established for this study was applied. From a molecular point of view, the expressions of protein kinase C-epsilon (PKCε) and of glycogen synthase kinase – 3 beta (GSK-3β) were investigated. Results: Following the statistical analysis, we observed a significant reduction in the size of the infarcted area in the IZO-PRE group compared to the control group (p <0.0001). Regarding the SEVO-PRE group, no reduction was observed (p >0.05). The expression of GSK-3β is more pronounced in case of the SEVO-PRE group, at 5 minutes after reperfusion, and the effect disappears after 15 minutes. The expression of PKCε as a total form of the enzyme, occurs at 5 minutes after reperfusion in the SEVO-PRE group and late in the IZO-PRE group (after 15 minutes). Conclusions: Both anesthetics that were applied showed a cardioprotective effect. Isoflurane provided a better structural and morphological protection, but Sevoflurane resulted in a more effective protection in terms of functionality, significantly reducing the incidence of extremely severe life-threatening arrhythmias.