Eeffects of isoflurane preconditioning on the expression of toll-like receptor 4 in glial cells in rats with middle cerebral artery occlusion

Objective To observe the effects of isoflurane preconditioning on the expression of toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) in glial cell in rats with middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO).Methods Forty-eight male SD rats weighing 250-300 g were randomly divided into three groups:sham operated group (group S),MCAO model group (group M) and isoflurane preconditioning group (group I).Scores of neurologic impairment,cerebral infarct volume and positive cell numbers of GFAP and OX42 were measured after ischemia for 2 hours and reperfusion for 24 hours.Results Compared with group M,the neurologic impairment score,the cerebral infarct volume,and the positive cell numbers of GFAP and OX42 decreased in group I 24 h after reperfusion (P0.05).Conclusion Isoflurane preconditioning protects the brain,which may be mediated by the downregulation of TLR4 and the inhibition of the activation of glial cell.