A comparative evaluation of the effects of sevofluran and dexmedetomi̇di̇ne on behavior, neuroi̇nflammati̇on and apoptosis in baby rats

Introduction: Advances in science and technology, development of diagnosis and treatment methods, starting from the intrauterine period, increase anesthesia exposure in the neonatal period, early childhood, and childhood, as in all age groups. The fact that childhood shows different characteristics from adults, especially in terms of nervous system development, leads to a more detailed investigation of drugs that affect these systems in children. It is not clear how and for how long many anesthetic agents, which are thought to suppress cognitive functions, affect brain functions. Clinical, experimental, and cell culture studies aiming to reveal whether anesthesia exposure in children is neurotoxic are being carried out with increasing interest. However, the reported results are contradictory and no consensus has yet been reached. Materials and Methods: In this experimental study, 20-day-old rats have given Sevoflurane and Dexmetathymidine anesthesia during the period when the central nervous system development was most intense, and whether the cognitive functions of rats decreased or not was evaluated by RAM test. After the application of the RAM test, the brain tissue samples of the young rats were evaluated histopathologically in terms of neuron damage and apoptosis. Rats were randomly divided into 6 groups (n = 6). Anesthetic agents were given to the rats taken for the RAM test, according to their groups. Group I: A control group (n = 6) was formed in which drugs whose effects were planned to be evaluated in experimental studies undergoing surgical intervention were not administered. Group II: 2.5% Sevoflurane for 4 hours, Group III: 2.5% Sevoflurane + 0.5 µg / kg Dexmedetomidine for 4 hours, Group IV: 2.5% Sevoflurane + 5 µg / kg Dexmedetomidine for 4 hours, Group V: 0.5 µg / kg Dexmedetomidine, Group VI: 5 µg / kg Dexmedetomidine was given. The cognitive functions of the rats that were taken to the RAM test again 3 days later were evaluated in terms of reference memory error, working memory error, hyperactivity, and anxiety. Results: Cognitive functions are significantly impaired after sevoflurane anesthesia. Dexmedetomidine changes the effect of sevoflurane on cognitive functions in a dose-dependent manner. Dexmedetomidine may cause hyperactivity at a dose of 5 µg / kg. There was no significant difference between the groups in terms of apoptosis except for the CA3 region. Conclusion: The effect of anesthesia on cognitive functions and apoptosis is being studied with increasing interest. As a result of our study, we can say that the use of appropriate doses of dexmedetomidine with sevoflurane can have a positive effect on cognitive functions.