Neurotoxicity induced by multiple exposures to sevoflurane anesthesia in neonatal rats

Objective To evaluate the neurotoxicity induced by multiple exposures to sevoflurane anesthesia in the neonatal rats. Methods Thirty-two healthy SPF Sprague-Dawley rats of both sexes, aged 7 days, weighing 15-20 g, were randomly divided into 2 groups(n=16 each)using a random number table: control group(group C)and multiple exposures to sevoflurane anesthesia group(group Sev). On postnatal day 7, 14 and 21, 2.6% sevoflurane was inhaled for 2 h in group Sev, while the mixed gas of oxygen and air was inhaled instead of sevoflurane in group C. Morris water maze test was carried out on postnatal day 32-36 to assess the cognitive function.On postnatal day 21 and 36, 8 rats in each group were selected and anesthetized, and the cerebrospinal fluid was collected for determination of the concentrations of amyloid β-protein by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Results Compared with group C, no significant change was found in the escape latency, movement time spent in the effective region of the platform, movement distance, the number of entries into the effective region, percentage of residence time, percentage of movement distance, and percentage of the number of entries(P>0.05), and the concentrations of amyloid β-protein in the cerebrospinal fluid were significantly increased on postnatal day 36 in group Sev(P<0.05). Conclusion Multiple exposures to sevoflurane anesthesia can induce central neurotoxicity, but do not induce changes in the cognitive function in the neonatal rats. Key words: Anesthetics, inhalation; Infant, newborn; Drug toxicity