Role of α7nAChR-NMDAR in sevoflurane-induced memory deficits in the developing rat hippocampus

PLoS One. 2018 Feb 5;13(2):e0192498. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0192498. eCollection 2018.

Abstract

Detrimental effects of volatile anaesthetics, including sevoflurane, on the structure and function of the developing brain have been reported. The internalization of N-methyl-D-aspartate receptors (NMDARs) contributes to anaesthetic neurotoxicity. Both nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs) and NMDAR play a critical role in the development of the nervous system. Moreover, nAChR can interact with NMDAR, and previous studies have demonstrated modulation of NMDAR by nAChR. In our study, we used an α7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (α7nAChR) agonist and α7nAChR antagonist to explore the role of α7nAChR and NMDAR in sevoflurane-induced long-term effects on memory and dendritic spine both in vivo and in vitro. The results revealed that the activation of α7nAChR attenuated the development of sevoflurane-induced memory deficit and dendritic spine changes, which might be by regulating NR2B-containing NMDAR trafficking from the intracellular pool to the cell surface pool in the hippocampus. Moreover, we demonstrated that α7nAChR could regulate NR2B-containing NMDAR via Src-family tyrosine kinase (SFK). Thus, our current study indicates that the trafficking of NR2B-containing NMDAR is regulated by α7nAChR via SFK in neonatal rat hippocampus, which may be secondary to sevoflurane-induced cognitive deficits in the developing hippocampus.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Hippocampus / drug effects*
  • Hippocampus / pathology
  • Memory Disorders / etiology*
  • Methyl Ethers / adverse effects*
  • Rats
  • Receptors, N-Methyl-D-Aspartate / metabolism*
  • Sevoflurane
  • alpha7 Nicotinic Acetylcholine Receptor / metabolism*

Substances

  • Methyl Ethers
  • Receptors, N-Methyl-D-Aspartate
  • alpha7 Nicotinic Acetylcholine Receptor
  • Sevoflurane

Grants and funding

Our study is supported by National Natural Science Foundation of China(NSFC 81300960, 81371245, and 81400908), Key Projects in the Tianjin Science & Technology Pillar Program (12ZCZDSY03000), Tianjin Research Program of Application Foundation and Advanced Technology (14JCQNJC12800), Scientific Grant from Tianjin Health Bureau (2013KZ124). The funding institutions had no role in study design, data collection and analysis, decision to publish, or preparation of the manuscript.