Catalpol Alleviates Isoflurane-Induced Hippocampal Learning and Memory Dysfunction and Neuropathological Changes in...

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Pharmacology
• Gerontology

Background:

• Isoflurane anesthesia can cause perioperative neurocognitive disorders (PNDs) in elderly patients, often involving hippocampal dysfunction and inflammation.
• Catalpol, a natural compound, shows potential neuroprotective and neurotransmission-modulating properties.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the potential protective effects of catalpol against isoflurane-induced PNDs in aged mice.
• To elucidate the underlying mechanisms involving neuroprotection and the NLRP3 inflammasome pathway.

Main Methods:

• Aged mice were preconditioned with catalpol before isoflurane exposure to model PNDs.
• A comprehensive battery of behavioral, histological, biochemical, electrophysiological, and immunofluorescent assays were conducted.

Main Results:

• Catalpol preadministration significantly improved cognitive functions in behavioral tests (Morris water maze, novel object recognition, Y-maze).
• It reduced neuronal and synaptic loss, restoring hippocampal synaptic plasticity.
• Catalpol suppressed microglial activation and decreased NLRP3 inflammasome expression.

Conclusions:

• Catalpol effectively alleviates cognitive impairment and neuropathological damage in aged mice exposed to isoflurane.
• Its neuroprotective effects are mediated through the modulation of the NLRP3 inflammatory pathway.