A mini-review of the effects of inhalational and intravenous anesthetics on oxidative stress in dogs

Abstract

General anesthesia increases the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS), which can exacerbate or increase oxidative stress and thus affect the prognosis of surgical procedures. Oxidative stress has been implicated in the development of cardiovascular, dermatologic, oncologic, and other diseases in dogs, as well as ischemia and reperfusion injury. Some anesthetics, such as halogenated anesthetics, have been shown to stimulate the production of ROS, while others, such as propofol, have antioxidant properties. However, the antioxidant effects of these anesthetics may not be sufficient to counteract oxidative damage at the doses used clinically. Nevertheless, the effects of anesthetics should be considered to minimize oxidative damage during anesthesia in dogs to improve the outcome of procedures requiring general anesthesia. This mini-review addresses the current knowledge on oxidative stress during inhalational and intravenous anesthesia in dogs. There is still a lack of information on the management of anesthesia in dogs with respect to oxidative stress. Further research, including comprehensive clinical studies is needed to better understand oxidative injury mechanisms and improve perioperative protocols during anesthesia in dogs.

Effects of Medetomidine–Butorphanol and Medetomidine–Buprenorphine on Oxidative Stress and Vital Parameters in Dogs Undergoing Ovariohysterectomy

“…The loss of homeostasis between antioxidant and pro-oxidant properties inside the organism results in oxidative stress (OS). Reactive oxygen species (ROS) are essential for normal metabolism, as they are responsible for pathogen destruction and play a fundamental role in the inflammation process [1][2][3][4]. A loss of balance and the overproduction of reactive oxygen species can lead to oxidative stress that is linked to accelerated aging and the development of cardiovascular, dermatologic, and oncologic diseases in multiple species [1][2][3][4][5][6][7][8][9].…”

“…Reactive oxygen species (ROS) are essential for normal metabolism, as they are responsible for pathogen destruction and play a fundamental role in the inflammation process [1][2][3][4]. A loss of balance and the overproduction of reactive oxygen species can lead to oxidative stress that is linked to accelerated aging and the development of cardiovascular, dermatologic, and oncologic diseases in multiple species [1][2][3][4][5][6][7][8][9]. The overload of oxidants delays wound healing by displaying cytotoxic effects on dermal fibroblasts and keratinocytes, inactivating antioxidants, and stimulating inflammatory cell chemotaxis [4,9].…”

“…For example, propofol has been studied extensively because its molecular structure is similar to the powerful antioxidant tocopherol. Therefore, it has been speculated and proven that propofol has antioxidant properties as well [2,18,19,[23][24][25]. Volatile anesthetics, like isoflurane or sevoflurane, have been proven to be antioxidants with anti-inflammatory properties, too [1,19,23,26,27].…”

“…Plasma total oxidant status (TOS), total antioxidant status (TAS), and oxidative stress index (OSI) were chosen to evaluate the oxidative stress status of the dogs undergoing OHE. TOS has been known as a parameter indicating cumulative oxidants in plasma, and TAS is a measurement that represents antioxidant properties and measures the ability to scavenge free radicals [2,34]. The OSI is also represented as a ratio between TOS and TAS that indicates the balance between oxidants and antioxidative properties [2,11,13,15,17,34].…”

“…TOS has been known as a parameter indicating cumulative oxidants in plasma, and TAS is a measurement that represents antioxidant properties and measures the ability to scavenge free radicals [2,34]. The OSI is also represented as a ratio between TOS and TAS that indicates the balance between oxidants and antioxidative properties [2,11,13,15,17,34].…”