Abstract
Background: A recent study discovered that exposure to the anesthetic gas sevoflurane in the early years of life can impact cognitive function. Objectives: This study aims to investigate the effects of prolonged and repeated exposure to sevoflurane during the weaning period and whether the administration of propolis, a well-known herbal substance with anti-inflammatory properties, has a beneficial effect on inflammation and synaptic markers of the prefrontal cortex area, as well as its effect on spatial working memory function. Methods: We utilized Sprague Dawley rats aged 21 days (P21), divided into three groups: Control, sevoflurane, and sevoflurane with propolis. The exposure to sevoflurane (3%) was conducted three times for 2 hours each at P21, P23, and P25. Propolis treatments were administered orally, starting from the first day of exposure to sevoflurane until the rats were sacrificed (P25 or P51). Analyses of IL-6, TNF-alpha, IL-10, PSD-95 levels were performed using ELISA at P25 and P51, while spatial working memory was measured using the spontaneous Y-maze at P51. Results: Exposure to sevoflurane during the weaning period had no effect on IL-6, TNF-alpha, IL-10, and PSD-95 levels of the prefrontal cortex, nor on working memory function. Similarly, the administration of propolis did not have any beneficial effect on these parameters. Conclusions: Prolonged and repeated exposure to sevoflurane during the weaning period did not induce neuroinflammation conditions that also did not affect synaptic markers and working memory function. Further studies are required to identify a dose of sevoflurane that causes detrimental effects on memory function, neuroinflamation and synaptic marker and further to explore the beneficial effects of propolis on this condition.