MitoQ reducing sevoflurane-induced cognitive dysfunction by modulating mitochondrial dysfunction

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Anesthesiology
• Gerontology

Background:

• Postoperative neurocognitive disorders (POCD) are common complications impacting patient quality of life.
• Perioperative anesthesia exposure, particularly sevoflurane, is a key factor contributing to POCD.
• Mitoquinone (mitoQ), a mitochondrial-targeted antioxidant, is investigated for its therapeutic potential.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the therapeutic effect of mitoQ in counteracting sevoflurane-induced cognitive dysfunction.
• To explore the mechanisms underlying sevoflurane's impact on cognitive function and mitoQ's protective effects.

Main Methods:

• Aged male mice were treated with mitoQ before sevoflurane exposure.
• Spatial learning ability was assessed using a water maze.
• Mitochondrial function, oxidative stress, inflammation, autophagy, and apoptosis were analyzed in brain tissues and cell lines.

Main Results:

• Sevoflurane exposure caused spatial memory dysfunction, which mitoQ treatment attenuated.
• MitoQ modulated mitochondrial dynamics (Mfn1, Mfn2, Drp1, Fis1) and inhibited excessive autophagy (LC3, P62).
• MitoQ reduced neuroinflammation (NLRP3, ASC) and attenuated apoptosis (Cleaved caspase1, GSDMD).

Conclusions:

• MitoQ effectively prevents sevoflurane-induced cognitive dysfunction in aged mice.
• Therapeutic mechanisms involve modulating mitochondrial dynamics, oxidative stress, inflammation, and autophagy.
• MitoQ shows potential for preventing POCD in elderly patients.