[Hypertension exacerbates postoperative learning and memory impairment in rats possibly due to UCP2...

To explore the correlation of hypertension with postoperative cognitive dysfunction and its possible mechanism.

Twelve-week-old spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHRs) and Wistar-Kyoto (WKY) rats were both randomized into control group and surgical group (n=8). In the latter group, the rats received carotid artery exposure surgery under sevoflurane anesthesia to establish models of postoperative learning and memory impairment. Postoperative cognitive function changes of the rats were evaluated using behavioral tests. The hippocampus of the rats were collected for determining ATP level and mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP) and for detecting expressions of UCP2 and astrocyte markers (GFAP and NOX4) using Western blotting and immunofluorescence staining. Serum levels of ROS, IL-6, IL-1β and TNF‑α were detected using ELISA. Nissl staining was used to examine hippocampal neuronal loss in the CA1 region.

The SHRs exhibited exacerbated learning and memory deficits following the surgery as shown by significantly reduced performance in novel object recognition tests and context-related and tone-related fear conditioning experiments. Compared with WKY rats, the SHRs had significantly decreased mitochondrial UCP2 expression and MMP in the hippocampus, increased hippocampal ATP level, and markedly increased serum levels of ROS and inflammatory factors, showing also increased activation of hippocampal astrocytes and microglia and reduced number of neurons positive for Nissl staining.

Hypertension can exacerbate major postoperative learning and memory impairment in rats possibly as a result of UCP2-mediated mitochondrial dysfunction and oxidative stress damage, which further leads to astrocyte overactivation and neuronal damage.