Effects of sulforaphane preconditioning on cognitive dysfunction induced by sevoflurane anesthesia in aged rats

Abstract

Objective To evaluate the effects of sulforaphane preconditioning on cognitive dysfunction induced by sevoflurane anesthesia in aged rats.Methods Thirty Sprague-Dawley rats,aged 22 months,weighing 380-560 g,were randomly divided into 3 groups (n =10 each) using a random number table:control group,sevoflurane group (Sev group),and sulforaphane group (Sul group).In group Sul,sulforaphane25 mg/kg was administered by oral gavage once a day for 7 consecutive days,while the equal volume of distilled water was given instead of sulforaphane in Sev and C groups.Groups Sev and Sul inhaled 3％ sevoflurane in oxygen (2.5 L/min) and group C inhaled air (100 min/d) for 5 consecutive days starting from the end of gavage.At 24 h after sevoflurane inhalation,cognitive function was detected using Morris water maze and open field tests.The escape latency,frequency of crossing the original platform,the number of crossing the grid,the number of standing on the back legs and the time the animals spent in the central square were recorded.Results Compared with group C,the frequency of crossing the original platform,the number of crossing the grid,and the number of standing on the back legs were significantly reduced,the time the animals spent in the central square and escape latency on 1st day were prolonged and no significant changes were found in the escape latency on 2nd-4th days in group Sev.Compared with group Sev,the frequency of crossing the original platform,the number of crossing the grid,and the number of standing on the back legs were significantly increased,and the time the animals spent in the central square and escape latency on 1st day were shortened.Conclusion Sulforaphane preconditioning can improve the cognitive dysfunction induced by sevoflurane anesthesia in aged rats. Key words: Thiocyanates ; Aged ; Anesthetics, inhalation ; Cognition disorders