Abstract
Purpose: To investigate the effects of sevoflurane and fentanyl on cognitive function in aged rats, and to determine the mechanism of action.
 Methods: A total of 160 adult male Wistar rats were randomly assigned to four groups of 40 rats each. With the exception of control, the rats were surgically operated on. Sevoflurane group received sevoflurane (2 %) via inhalation for 2 h/day for 7 days, while the fentanyl group received fentanyl (50 µg/kg body weight) for 1 h via their tail veins for 7 days. The cognitive function of the rats was evaluated by shuttle box and Morris water maze (MWM) tests, while interleukin-6 (IL-6), vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α) were evaluated using ELISA kits.
 Results: The learning and memory latencies of the rats were significantly prolonged in surgery, with prolongation greater in sevoflurane and fentanyl groups than in control group; however, the latencies were significantly shorter in sevoflurane and fentanyl groups than in surgery group (p < 0.05). The levels of VEGF, IL-6 and TNF-α were significantly higher in the surgery, sevoflurane and fentanyl groups than in control group (p < 0.05).
 Conclusion: Sevoflurane and fentanyl improve cognitive function in aged rats via a mechanism involving the regulation of inflammatory response in the brain.
Highlights
Cognitive function is an essential neurological activity which enables animals to adapt to their environment, receive and process information, and acquire knowledge and experience
The chests of rats in surgery, sevoflurane and fentanyl groups were cut open under auxiliary breathing, and their left coronary were arteries ligated within 30 min, and repassed for 2 h
Sevoflurane and fentanyl are often used as anesthetics
Summary
Cognitive function is an essential neurological activity which enables animals to adapt to their environment, receive and process information, and acquire knowledge and experience. About 25 % of elderly patients develop postoperative cognitive dysfunctions which are characterized by changes in personality, social abilities and cognitive abilities [1]. The specific causes, and processes involved in patient postoperative cognition decline, especially in the elderly, have not been fully elucidated. It has been hypothesized that brain damage and suppression of central neurotransmitter function may be involved [2,3]. The effect of anesthesia on cognitive ability, and the organs and molecules involved remain unclear. The aim of the present study was to investigate the effects of sevoflurane and fentanyl on cognitive function in aged rats, and to assess the underlying mechanism
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