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Neurotoxic Effects of Local Anesthetics on Developing Motor Neurons in a Rat Model

Chang-Hoon Koo1, Jiseok Baik2, Hyun-Jung Shin1

  • 1Department of Anesthesiology & Pain Medicine, Seoul National University Bundang Hospital, Seongnam 13620, Korea.

Journal of Clinical Medicine
|March 6, 2021
PubMed

Insights

Local anesthetics like lidocaine and bupivacaine can harm developing motor neurons. This study reveals their neurotoxic effects on cell viability, ROS, and apoptosis in rat spinal cords.

Area of Science:

  • Neuroscience
  • Toxicology
  • Developmental Biology

Background:

  • Neurotoxic effects of local anesthetics (LAs) on developing motor neurons are largely undocumented.
  • Understanding these effects is crucial for pediatric anesthesia and neurodevelopmental research.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the neurotoxic potential of lidocaine, bupivacaine, and ropivacaine on developing spinal cord motor neurons.
  • To assess impacts on cell viability, cytotoxicity, reactive oxygen species (ROS), and apoptosis.

Main Methods:

  • Primary motor neurons were isolated from Sprague-Dawley rat fetuses.
  • Neurons were exposed to varying concentrations (1-1000 µM) of lidocaine, bupivacaine, or ropivacaine for 1 or 24 hours.
  • Cell viability, cytotoxicity, ROS production, and apoptosis were quantified.

Main Results:

  • Short-term (1h) exposure to lidocaine and bupivacaine reduced motor neuron viability and increased cytotoxicity, ROS, and apoptosis in a dose-dependent manner, with lidocaine being more toxic.
  • Long-term (24h) exposure to all three LAs demonstrated significant neurotoxic effects, with lidocaine > bupivacaine > ropivacaine.
  • Ropivacaine exhibited the least neurotoxicity among the tested agents.

Conclusions:

  • Lidocaine and bupivacaine exhibit significant neurotoxic effects on developing spinal cord motor neurons.
  • The findings highlight potential risks associated with exposure to certain local anesthetics during critical developmental periods.
  • Ropivacaine appears to be a safer alternative regarding motor neuron neurotoxicity.
Keywords:
apoptosisbupivacainelidocainemotor neuronsropivacainetoxicity

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