NEUROTOXICOLOGY, cilt.103, ss.96-104, 2024 (SCI-Expanded)
Sevoflurane, a common pediatric anesthetic, has been linked to neurodegeneration, raising safety concerns. This study explored N-acetylcysteine ' s protective potential against sevoflurane-induced neurotoxicity in rat hippocampi. Four groups were examined: Control: Received 6 hours of 3 l/min gas (air and 30 % O2) and intraperitoneal saline. NAC: Received 6 hours of 3 l/min gas and 150 mg/kg NAC intraperitoneally. Sev: Exposed to 6 hours of 3 l/min gas and 3 % sevoflurane. Sev +NAC: Received 6 hours of 3 l/min gas, 3 % sevoflurane, and 150 mg/kg NAC. Protein levels of NRF-2, NLRP3, IL -1 8 , caspase-1, Beclin 1, p62, LC3A, and apoptosis markers were assessed. Sevoflurane and NAC alone reduced autophagy, while Sev +NAC group maintained autophagy levels. Sev group had elevated NRF-2, NLRP3, pNRF2, Caspase-1, and IL -1 8 , which were reduced in Sev +NAC. Apoptosis was higher in Sev, but Sev +NAC showed reduced apoptosis compared to the control. In summary, sevoflurane induced neurotoxicity in developing hippocampus, which was mitigated by N-acetylcysteine administration.