Related Experiment Video
Updated: Apr 25, 2026
Rodent Model of Intestinal Ischemia-Reperfusion Injury via Occlusion of the Superior Mesenteric Artery
Published on: October 20, 2023
Isoflurane reduces the ischemia reperfusion injury surge: a longitudinal study with MRI
Saeid Taheri1, Anandakumar Shunmugavel2, Danielle Clark2
1Department of Neurosciences, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, 29425.
Background:
Recent studies show neuroprotective benefits of isoflurane (ISO) administered during cerebral ischemia. However, the available studies evaluated cerebral injury only at a single time point following the intervention and thus the longitudinal effect of ISO on ischemic tissues remains to be investigated.
Objective:
The objective of the present study was to investigate the longitudinal effect of ISO treatment in counteracting the deleterious effect of ischemia by evoking the transcription factor, hypoxia inducible factor-1 (HIF-1), and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF).
Methods:
Focal cerebral ischemia was induced in 70 rats by filament medial cerebral artery occlusion (MCAo) method. MCAo rats were randomly assigned to control (90 min ischemia) and MCAo+ISO (90 min ischemia+2% ISO) groups. Infarct volume, edema, intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH), and regional cerebral blood flow (rCBF) were measured in eight in vivo sequential MR imaging sessions for 3 weeks. Western blot analysis and immunofluorescence were used to determine the expression level of HIF-1α (the regulatable subunit of HIF-1) and VEGF proteins.
Results:
ISO inhalation during ischemia significantly decreased the surge of infarct volume, edema, ICH, and reduced the mortality rate (p<0.01). ISO transiently altered the rCBF, significantly enhanced the expression of HIF-1α and VEGF, and decreased the immune cell infiltration. Locomotor dysfunction was ameliorated at a significantly faster pace, and the benefit was seen to persist up to three weeks.
Conclusion:
Treatment with ISO during ischemia limits the deadly surge in the dynamics of ischemia reperfusion injury with no observed long-term inverse effect.
Insights
Isoflurane (ISO) treatment during cerebral ischemia reduces infarct volume, edema, and hemorrhage. This neuroprotective effect, linked to HIF-1 and VEGF, persists for three weeks with no adverse outcomes.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Anesthesiology
- Ischemia Research
Background:
- Neuroprotective effects of isoflurane (ISO) in cerebral ischemia are known.
- Longitudinal effects of ISO on ischemic tissues require further investigation.
Purpose of the Study:
- Investigate the longitudinal impact of ISO on ischemic tissues.
- Evaluate ISO's role in modulating hypoxia-inducible factor-1 (HIF-1) and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF).
Main Methods:
- Focal cerebral ischemia induced via filament medial cerebral artery occlusion (MCAo) in 70 rats.
- Sequential MR imaging over 3 weeks to assess infarct volume, edema, ICH, and rCBF.
- Western blot and immunofluorescence to measure HIF-1α and VEGF expression.
Main Results:
- ISO significantly reduced infarct volume, edema, ICH, and mortality.
- Enhanced expression of HIF-1α and VEGF observed post-ISO treatment.
- Improved locomotor function and sustained benefits up to three weeks.
Conclusions:
- ISO treatment during ischemia mitigates ischemia-reperfusion injury dynamics.
- No long-term adverse effects observed with ISO treatment.
- ISO demonstrates sustained neuroprotective potential in ischemic conditions.
