Isoflurane in the presence or absence of surgery increases hippocampal cytokines associated with memory deficits and responses to brain injury in rats

Abstract

Evidence from experimental animal studies convincingly argues for a role of pro-inflammatory cytokines due to surgical trauma in causing postoperative cognitive dysfunction. However, other studies have shown exposure to 2-4 h of isoflurane anesthetic without surgical trauma can also impair cognitive function. We aimed to determine cytokine changes over time following isoflurane exposure in the presence and absence of surgery and examine subsequent cognitive function. Male rats were exposed to isoflurane (1.8%, 4 h) with or without laparotomy or control conditions and tested in a contextual fear conditioning paradigm 8 days later. On day 9 rats were perfused, serum and hippocampal samples wer..