Effects of sevoflurane on inflammatory reaction in rats with vascular cognitive impairment

Abstract

Objective To investigate the effects of sevoflurane on inflammatory reaction in rats with vascular cognitive impairment. Methods Forty-two adult female Wistar rats, weighting 200-250 g, were randomly divided into 3 groups: sham operation group(group S, n = 6), vascular cognitive impairment group (group VCI, n = 18) and sevoflurane group (group Sev, n = 18). Vaesular cognitive impairment was induced by permanent bilateral occlusion of both common carotid arteries. Group Sev received inhalation of sevnflurane (end-tidal concentration 1.8%) in oxygen 0.5 L/min for 12 h after both common carotid arteries were occluded. Learning ability and memory were assessed using Morris water maze test and shuttle box task 2 d after treatment in group S while 2, 14, 26 d after treatment in group VCI and Sev. The level of IL-1β and TNF-α in serum and brain tissue were determined by ELISA and the expression of IL-1β mRNA and TNF-α mRNA in brain tissue were determined by RT-PCR 2 d after treatment in group S while 12, 24, 36 d after treatment in group VCI and Sev. Results Compared with group S, the latency of study was significantly prolonged, the latency of memory, the number of times of passive avoidance response and active avoidance response were significantly decreased, the level of IL-1β and TNF-α in serum and brain tissue were significantly increased, the expression of IL-1β mRNA and TNF-α mRNA in brain tissue were significantly up-regulated in group VCI and Sev. Compared with group VCI, the latency of study was significantly shortened, the latency of memory, the number of times of passive avoidance response and active avoidance response were significantly increased, the level of IL-1β and TNF-α in serum and brain tissue were significantly decreased, the expression of IL-1β mRNA and TNF-α mRNA in brain tissue were significantly down-regulated in group Sev. Conclusion Sevoflurane can attenuate vascular cognitive impairment in rats by inhibiting inflammatory reaction. Key words: Anesthetics, inhalation; Cognition disorders; Inflammation