Preoperative vitamin-rich carbohydrate loading alleviates postoperative cognitive dysfunction in aged rats

Area of Science:

• Gerontology
• Neuroscience
• Biochemistry

Background:

• Postoperative cognitive dysfunction (POCD) is a growing concern in aging populations.
• Preoperative carbohydrate loading may mitigate surgical stress and insulin resistance.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the effects of vitamin-rich carbohydrate (CHO) loading on POCD, endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress, and apoptosis in aged rats.
• To determine if preoperative CHO loading can attenuate ER stress and neuronal apoptosis.

Main Methods:

• An aged rat model of POCD was established via splenectomy.
• Animals were divided into control, fasting, water, and vitamin-rich CHO groups.
• Cognitive function was assessed using the Morris water maze (MWM).
• ER stress and apoptosis markers in the hippocampus were analyzed via Western blot.

Main Results:

• Vitamin-rich CHO-treated rats showed improved performance in MWM tests compared to fasting and water groups.
• Preoperative CHO loading significantly reduced ER stress markers (GRP78, eIF2a) and apoptosis (Bax, Beclin1, Bcl-2) in the hippocampus.
• These molecular changes correlated with enhanced cognitive function.

Conclusions:

• Preoperative vitamin-rich CHO loading can ameliorate POCD in aged rats.
• The mechanism involves the attenuation of endoplasmic reticulum stress and neuronal apoptosis.
• This suggests a potential therapeutic strategy for preventing POCD.