Investigation of the effects of some anesthetic agents on oxidative stress parameters in rats exposed to acute stress

Stress is known as one of the most important causes of many diseases, comprising physical and psychological changes that threaten the homeostasis of organisms. Oxidative stress arises from an imbalance between free radicals and antioxidants in favor of pro-oxidants. This condition contributes to pathological situations such as lipid peroxidation, protein oxidation, cell death, and DNA damage. The effects of anesthetic agents on oxidative stress are a significant factor affecting the recovery processes of patients before and after surgical procedures. In this study, the effects of commonly used anesthetic agents, propofol, ketamine, and thiopental, on oxidative stress parameters (SOD, CAT, MDA, TAS, and TOS) in serum and brain tissue of rats exposed to acute stress induced by restraint stress were investigated. Additionally, the effects of these substances on behavioral parameters such as locomotor activity, short-term spatial memory, and anxiety were examined. The Wistar Albino rats were divided into five groups: control, acute stress, propofol, thiopental, and ketamine. In behavioral tests, propofol and thiopental applications showed a suppressive effect on locomotor activity in rats exposed to acute stress, while no significant difference was found in short-term spatial memory findings among the experimental groups. Propofol applied at anesthetic doses was found to reduce SOD and CAT levels. Serum MDA was found to be high in the acute stress group, while TAS and CAT levels were low. Serum TOS levels were higher in the propofol group compared to the control group. Tissue TOS levels were found to be high in all groups, while tissue TAS levels were low in the propofol and thiopental groups. As a result, anesthetic agents were found to have varying effects on the oxidative stress induced by acute stress. Evaluating the study findings, ketamine exhibited more antioxidant effects compared to the others.