Effect of isoflurane on levels of PKA and PKC in hippocampus in rats

Abstract

Objective To investigate the effect of isofluraue on the levels of protein kinase A （PKA） and protein kinase C （PKC） in hippocampus in rats. Methods Thirty-six 3-month-old male SD rats weighing 180- 220 g were randomly divided into 3 groups （ n = 12 each） ： group I underwent the cognitive function test without being pretreated with isoflurane inhalation （group C）; group II and III inhaled 1.2% isofluranc for 4 h and underwent the cognitive function test 2 days and 2 weeks later respectively （group Iso1 , Iso2 ） . Morris water maze was used to assess the cognitive function and the escape latency was recorded. The animals were killed immediately after the test. The hippoeampus was isolated for determination of the expression and activities of PICA and PKC. Results The escape latency was significantly longer in group III than in group I . The expression of PKA and PKC was significantly down-regulated and the activities of PKA and PKC were significantly decreased in group II and III as compared with group I . There was no significant difference in the expression and activities of PKA and PKC between group II and III Conclusion Four hour 1.2 % isoflurane inhalation can decrease cognitive function by inhibiting the levels of PKA and PKC in hippocampus. Key words: Isoflurane; Cyclic AMP-dependent protein kinases; Protein kinase C; Hippocampus