Related Experiment Video
Updated: Oct 19, 2025
Real-Time fMRI Brain Mapping in Animals
Published on: September 24, 2020
Magnetic resonance imaging under isoflurane anesthesia alters cortical cyclooxygenase-2 expression and glial cell
Ibtihel Dhaya1,2,3, Marion Griton1,2,4, Jan Pieter Konsman1,2
1INCIA Institut de Neurosciences Cognitives et Intégratives d'Aquitaine CNRS UMR 5287 Bordeaux France.
Background:
Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of rodents combined with histology allows to determine what mechanisms underlie functional and structural brain changes during sepsis-associated encephalopathy. However, the effects of MRI performed in isoflurane-anesthetized rodents on modifications of the blood-brain barrier and the production of vasoactive prostaglandins and glia cells, which have been proposed to mediate sepsis-associated brain dysfunction, are unknown.
Methods:
This study addressed the effect of MRI under isoflurane anesthesia on blood-brain barrier integrity, cyclooxygenase-2 expression, and glial cell activation during cecal ligature and puncture-induced sepsis-associated brain dysfunction in rats.
Results:
Cecal ligature and puncture reduced food intake and the righting reflex. MRI under isoflurane anesthesia reduced blood-brain barrier breakdown, decreased circularity of white matter astrocytes, and increased neuronal cyclooxygenase-2 immunoreactivity in the cortex 24 hours after laparotomy. In addition, it annihilated cecal ligature and puncture-induced increased circularity of white matter microglia. MRI under isoflurane anesthesia, however, did not alter sepsis-associated perivascular cyclooxygenase-2 induction.
Conclusion:
These findings indicate that MRI under isoflurane anesthesia of rodents can modify neurovascular and glial responses and should, therefore, be interpreted with caution.
Insights
Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in isoflurane-anesthetized rodents affects the blood-brain barrier and glial cells during sepsis-associated encephalopathy. Findings suggest MRI data in these models should be interpreted cautiously due to potential modifications.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Medical Imaging
- Sepsis Research
Background:
- Sepsis-associated encephalopathy involves brain changes, but the impact of Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) under anesthesia on these changes is unknown.
- Vasoactive prostaglandins and glia cells are implicated in sepsis-induced brain dysfunction.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the effects of MRI under isoflurane anesthesia on blood-brain barrier integrity, cyclooxygenase-2 expression, and glial cell activation in a rat model of sepsis-associated brain dysfunction.
Main Methods:
- Rats underwent cecal ligature and puncture to induce sepsis.
- MRI was performed under isoflurane anesthesia at 24 hours post-laparotomy.
- Blood-brain barrier integrity, cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) expression, and glial cell activation (microglia and astrocytes) were assessed.
Main Results:
- Sepsis reduced food intake and righting reflex.
- MRI under isoflurane anesthesia decreased blood-brain barrier breakdown and altered astrocyte and microglia morphology.
- Neuronal COX-2 immunoreactivity increased in the cortex, but perivascular COX-2 induction was not altered by MRI.
Conclusions:
- MRI under isoflurane anesthesia can modify neurovascular and glial responses in rodent models of sepsis-associated encephalopathy.
- Results highlight the need for cautious interpretation of MRI findings in anesthetized rodents undergoing sepsis studies.
