Stimulating olfactory epithelium mitigates mechanical ventilation-induced hippocampal inflammation and apoptosis

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Critical Care Medicine
• Respiratory Physiology

Background:

• Mechanical ventilation (MV) is crucial for critically ill patients but poses risks.
• MV can lead to neurocognitive dysfunction, brain inflammation, and apoptosis.
• Altered brain activity due to tracheal intubation may contribute to these neurological deficits.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate if simulating physiological nasal breathing via rhythmic air-puffs (AP) can mitigate MV-induced neuroinflammation and apoptosis in the hippocampus.
• To determine if this intervention can restore respiration-coupled brain oscillations.

Main Methods:

• Mechanically ventilated rats were subjected to rhythmic air-puff (AP) stimulation in the nasal cavity.
• Hippocampal inflammation, apoptosis, and brain rhythms were assessed.
• Microglial and astrocyte activation were analyzed.

Main Results:

• Rhythmic nasal AP stimulation revived respiration-coupled brain oscillations.
• This intervention significantly mitigated MV-induced hippocampal apoptosis.
• Reduced inflammation involving microglia and astrocytes was observed.

Conclusions:

• Simulating nasal breathing through rhythmic AP is a promising approach to reduce neurological complications from MV.
• This method may offer a novel therapeutic strategy for mechanically ventilated patients.
• Restoring physiological breathing patterns could protect the brain during critical illness.