Abstract
Background
A double-blind, randomized trial was conducted to determine the behavioural effects of chronic exposure to subanesthetic concentrations of halothane, sevoflurane and desflurane in rats.
Methods
Halothane, sevoflurane and desflurane group rats received 0.1%, 0.3%, and 0.6% concentrations in a flow rate of 3 L·min-1 O2, respectively. Control animals also received 3 L·min-1 O2 in another investigation room, which had the same properties as the study group rooms. Rats breathed inhaled agents or oxygen between 09:00-13:00 hr every day for 30 days. After 30 days of inhalation of subanesthetic doses of inhaled agents or oxygen, behavioural tests were applied.
Results
Tests of exploratory activity and curiosity (hole-board test), anxiety (elevated plus maze test) and learning and memory functions (multiple T maze test), demonstrated that chronic exposure to subanesthetic concentrations of all three anesthetics alters behavioural functions in rats. However, impairment of learning (P<0.05) and memory function (P<0.05) were greater in association with desflurane, in comparison to halothane and sevoflurane-treated rats.
Conclusion
Chronic exposure to subanesthetic concentrations of halothane, sevoflurane and desflurane is associated with behavioural change in rats. Of the three drugs, desflurane was associated with the lowest learning and memory function test scores.
Résumé
Objectif
Déterminer, par une étude randomisée à double insu, les effets comportementaux de l’exposition chronique à des concentrations sous-anesthésiques d’halothane, de sévoflurane et de desflurane chez les rats.
Méthode
Ľhalothane, le sévoflurane et le desflurane ont été administrés à des groupes de rats selon des concentrations respectives de 0,1 %, 0,3 % et 0,6% à un débit 3 L·min-1 d’O2. Les animaux témoins ont aussi reçu 3 L·min-1 d’O2 dans un local d’expérimentation qui avait les même propriétés que le local du groupe à l’étude. Les rats ont respiré les anesthésiques d’inhalation ou de l’oxygène entre 9 h et 13 h tous les jours, pendant 30 jours. Après quoi, des tests de comportement ont été appliqués. Résultats : Les tests d’activité exploratrice et de curiosité (planche trouée), d’anxiété (test de labyrinthe «elevated plus maze test») et des fonctions cognitive et mnésique («multiple T maze test») ont démontré qu’une exposition chronique à des concentrations sous-anesthésiques des trois agents altèrent les comportements des rats. Ľatteinte cognitive (P < 0,05) et mnésique (P < 0,05) a été plus importante avec le desflurane, comparé à l’halothane et au sévoflurane.
Conclusion
Ľexposition chronique à des concentrations sousanesthésiques d’halothane, de sévoflurane et de desflurane est associée à un changement de comportement chez les rats. Le desflurane a produit les scores les plus bas aux épreuves cognitives et mnésiques.
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Ozer, M., Baris, S., Karakaya, D. et al. Behavioural effects of chronic exposure to sub-anesthetic concentrations of halothane, sevoflurane and desflurane in rats. Can J Anesth 53, 653–658 (2006). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF03021623
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF03021623