Comparison of isoflurane-induced and sevoflurane-induced preconditioning for rapid brain ischemic tolerance in rats
AIM:To investigate whether preconditioning with isoilurane (Iso) and sevoflurane (Sevo) could induce rapid tolerance to focal cerebral ischemia in rats and to compare their neuro-protective effects against cerebral ischemic injury. METHODS: Forty-two male SD rats weighing 280 - 320 g were randomly assigned into 3 groups ( n = 14,each group). Animals in Control,Iso and Sevo groups received preconditioning with 970 mL/L O2,1 minimum alveolar concentration ( MAC,15 mL/L) isoflurane in 970 mL/L O2 and 1 MAC (24 mL/L) sevoflurane in 970 mL/L O2 for 1 h respectively. Four rats of each group were randomly assigned to mean artery pressure ( MAP) monitoring and artery blood gas analysis at the onset and the end of preconditioning. At 1h after preconditioning,the other rats were subjected to the right middle cerebral artery occlusion ( MCAO) for 2 h,followed by reperfusion for 72 h. The neurological behavior scores (NBS) were assessed at 24,48,and 72 h after reperfusion. The percentage of infarct volume was determined at 72 h after reperfusion. RESULTS: The NBS of Iso group and Sevo group at 24,48 and 72 h after reperfusian were significantly higher than those of Control group (P < 0.05 ). The percentage of infarct volume in Iso group and Sevo group was (31. 9 ± 3. 7)% and (38. 5 ± 2.3) %,significantly lower than that in Control group [ (48. 6 ± 2.2) %,P = 0.001 and P = 0.032,respectively ]. No significant difference was found in NBS and infarct volume between Iso group and Sevo group. CONCLUSION: Preconditioning with 1 MAC isoilurane or 1 MAC sevoflurane induces rapid brain ischemic tolerance in rats subjected to focal cerebral ischemia,with similar neuroprotective effects.