Effect of sevoflurane anesthesia on expression of phosphorylated cAMP response element-binding protein in hippocampal neurons of developing rats

Objective To evaluate the effect of sevoflurane anesthesia on the expression of phosphorylated cAMP response element-binding protein(p-CREB)in the hippocampal neurons of developing rats. Methods Thirty-two healthy male Sprague-Dawley rats, aged 7 days, weighing 10-15 g, were equally and randomly divided into either control group(group C)or sevoflurane anesthesia group(group Sev)using a random number table.Group C inhaled 30% oxygen for 6 h. Group Sev inhaled 3% sevoflurane for 6 h. Eight rats in each group were sacrificed immediately after the end of oxygen or sevoflurane inhalation, and the hippocampus was removed for determination of the expression of p-CREB.The rats at ages 2 months underwent Morris water maze test.The rats were then sacrificed, and the hippocampus was removed for determination of the expression of p-CREB by Western blot. Results Compared with group C, the escape latency and swimming distance were significantly prolonged, the frequency of crossing the original platform was decreased, the percentage of the time of staying at the quadrant Ⅱ was decreased, and the expression of p-CREB in hippocampal neurons was down-regulated in group Sev. Conclusion The mechanism of sevoflurane anesthesia-induced neurotoxicity is related to inhibition of p-CREB expression in hippocampal neurons of developing rats. Key words: Anesthetics, inhalation; Infant, newborn; Cyclic AMP response element-binding protein; Hippocampus; Neurons