Effects of sevoflurane on NR_1 mRNA of NMDA receptor in rat hippocampal slices during oxygen and glucose deprivation

Objective To study the effect of sevoflurane on the expression of mRNA of NR_1, one subgroup of NMDA receptor, in rat hippocampal slices deprived of oxygen and glucose(OGD). Methods The rat hippocampal slices were randomly divided into three groups, the normal control group, hypoxic OGD group and sevoflurane treatment group. The slices were expossed to OGD for 14 min and then incubated with oxygen and glucose resupplied for 1, 2 or 4 h. RT-PCR technique was used to study the expression of NR_1 mRNA of NMDA receptor. Results No significant differences in the expression of NR_1 mRNA were found between the groups at the 1 and 2 h time points. However, the expressions of NR_1 mRNA was increased at 4 h in the hypoxic group(P0.05), but the increase was not noticed in the sevoflurane treatment group(P0.05). Conclusion The neuroprotection of sevoflurane is possibly attributed to its downregulating the expression of NR_1 mRNA of NMDA receptor after OGD.