Effects of sevoflurane on apoptosis, BDNF and cognitive functions in neonatal rats

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the early and late effects of sevofl urane on the neonatal brain. BACKGROUND: Sevofl urane is the most used anaesthetics in neonatal subjects. METHODS: The study included 7-day-old male Wistar-Albino rats (n = 30), which were divided into the two groups according to the anaesthetic received: sevofl urane (S) and control group (C). Half of each group was sacrifi ced six hours after anaesthesia (early, E) while the remaining subjects were sacrifi ced six weeks later (late, L). The serum brain-derived-neurotrophic factor (BDNF), brain BDNF and caspase-3 were evaluated. In addition, elevated plus arm test and Morris water test were performed in the late group. RESULTS: BDNF levels were higher in the late groups than in the early ones (p < 0.05). BDNF levels in cerebral cortex were higher in the Group CE than in the Group CL and SL (p < 0.05). There was a signifi cant negative correlation between serum BDNF and cortex BDNF levels (p = 0.003, r = -0.425). Cortex caspase 3 levels were signifi cantly higher in the Groups SE and SL than in the Group CE and CL (p < 0.05). There was no signifi cant difference between the groups in the terms of open arm index, locomotor activity and Morris water test. CONCLUSIONS: Although sevofl urane induced apoptosis, it didn't affect BDNF levels and showed no longterm negative effects on learning and anxiety in neonatal rats (Tab. 1, Fig. 3, Ref. 26). Text in PDF www.elis.sk.

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Sevoflurane Exposure Results in Sex-Specific Transgenerational Upregulation of Target IEGs in the Subiculum

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