Effects of sevoflurane and desflurane in CA1 after incomplete cerebral ischemia in rats

OBJECTIVE: We compared the postischemic cerebral protective effects of sevoflurane and desflurane in rats with incomplete cerebral ischemia.

METHODS: This study was performed in Ataturk University Medical Faculty in Erzurum, Turkey in 2003. All rats were anesthetized with 5% isoflurane, intubated and mechanically ventilated, then given 2% isoflurane in 70% nitrous oxide and 30% O2. The femoral artery was cannulated. Five minutes before ischemia, and at the end of ischemia, arterial blood was taken for plasma glucose, hematocrit and blood gas analysis. Hypotension was induced by hemorrhage, and then both common carotid arteries were clamped for 10 minutes. In the control group, the arteries were then unclamped and the rats were extubated. In the other 2 groups, isoflurane was discontinued after carotid artery unclamping, and either 2% sevoflurane or 6% desflurane in 70% nitrous oxide and 30% O2 was given for 30 minutes, after which the rats were extubated. Five days later, they were sacrificed, and histological scores in CA1 were graded on a scale 0-3.

RESULTS: Histopathological outcome in sevoflurane and desflurane group was not different, but there were differences between sevoflurane and control (p<0.05), and desflurane and control (p<0.01).

CONCLUSION: These data indicate that sevoflurane and desflurane have cerebral protective effects when given after ischemia.