Nitrous oxide plus isoflurane induces apoptosis and increases β-amyloid protein levels

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Some anesthetics have been suggested to induce neurotoxicity, including promotion of Alzheimer's disease neuropathogenesis. Nitrous oxide and isoflurane are common anesthetics. The authors set out to assess the effects of nitrous oxide and/or isoflurane on apoptosis and β-amyloid (Aβ) levels in H4 human neuroglioma cells and primary neurons from naïve mice. METHODS: The cells or neurons were exposed to 70% nitrous oxide and/or 1% isoflurane for 6 h. The cells or neurons and conditioned media were harvested at the end of the treatment. Caspase-3 activation, apoptosis, processing of amyloid precursor protein, and Aβ levels were determined. RESULTS: Treatment with a combination of 70% nitrous oxide and 1% isoflurane for 6 h induced caspase-3 activation and apoptosis in H4 naïve cells and primary neurons from naïve mice. The 70% nitrous oxide plus 1% isoflurane, but neither alone, for 6 h induced caspase-3 activation and apoptosis, and increased levels of β-site amyloid precursor protein-cleaving enzyme and Aβ in H4-amyloid precursor protein cells. In addition, the nitrous oxide plus isoflurane-induced Aβ generation was reduced by a broad caspase inhibitor, Z-VAD. Finally, the nitrous oxide plus isoflurane-induced caspase-3 activation was attenuated by γ-secretase inhibitor L-685,458, but potentiated by exogenously added Aβ. CONCLUSION: These results suggest that the common anesthetics nitrous oxide plus isoflurane may promote neurotoxicity by inducing apoptosis and increasing Aβ levels. The generated Aβ may further potentiate apoptosis to form another round of apoptosis and Aβ generation. More studies, especially the in vivo confirmation of these in vitro findings, are needed. © 2009, the American Society of Anesthesiologists, Inc.