Evaluation of the protective effect of magnesium against oxidative stress and neuroinflamation caused by sevoflurane i̇n the developing rat brain

Advances in science and technology allow more secure diagnostic and therapeutic interventions. In parallel with the developments, exposure to anesthesia increases in every stage of life starting from pregnancy. It is not clear enough how anesthetic exposure affects the developing brain and the necessity of a neuroprotective agent to prevent possible neural damage. The results reported in studies investigating the neurotoxic effects of anesthesia exposure in the second trimester, which is assumed to be safe, are contradictory and no consensus has yet been reached. In this experimental study, sevoflurane anesthesia was applied to pregnant rats in the second trimester G14. Inflammatory and oxidative stress induced by anesthesia was evaluated in maternal blood by levels of interleukin-6 (IL-6), interleukin-10 (IL-10) and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α). Cellular damage was investigated by fetal brain histopathology. Rats were randomly divided into 4 groups (n = 6) (Group K, Group Mg, Group Sv, Group Sv + Mg). Anesthesia was applied with sevoflurane at 2.5% concentration for 2 hours. In order to evaluate the neuroprotective activity, 270 mg / kg i.p MgSO4 was given to the relevant groups before anesthesia. Histopathological and biochemical evaluations were made 2 hours after anesthesia. No findings indicating neuronal damage were found in fetal rats exposed to sevoflurane compared to the control group. In the serum of pregnant rats, there was no significant difference in inflammation and oxidative stress markers except TNF-α. Short-term TNF-α elevation was not at a level to initiate apoptosis and other cell damage mechanisms as reported in the literature. There was no significant difference in the groups given MgSO4 compared to the control group. The neuroprotective efficiency of MgSO4 should be investigated by using a higher dose or in longer anesthesia applications. The neurotoxicity caused by anesthesia may depend on the developmental period, the anesthetic agent, the duration and number of exposure. In conclusion, although the clinical dose and duration of anesthesia exposure in the second trimester seems innocent in our study, more comprehensive experimental models are needed.