Effects of sevoflurane on cognitive deficit, motor function, and histopathology after cerebral ischemia in rats

Background: The volatile anesthetic sevoflurane exhibits neuroprotective properties when assessed for motor function and histopathology after cerebral ischemia in rats. Damage of hippocampal neurons after ischemia relates to a number of cognitive deficits that are not revealed by testing animals for motor function. Therefore, the present study evaluates cognitive and behavioral function as well as hippocampal damage in rats subjected to cerebral ischemia under sevoflurane compared with fentanyl/nitrous oxide (N₂O)/O₂ anesthesia. Methods: Thirty‐four rats were trained for 10 days using a hole‐board test to detect changes in cognitive and behavioral function. Rats were randomly assigned to the following groups: (A) sham/fentanyl/N₂O/O₂ (n=7); (B) ischemia/fentanyl/N₂O/O₂ (n=10); (C) sham/2.0 vol% sevoflurane in O₂/air (n=7); and (D) ischemia/2.0 vol% sevoflurane in O₂/air (n=10). Cerebral ischemia was produced by unilateral common carotid artery occlusion combined with hemorrhagic hypotension (mean arterial blood pressure 40 mmHg for 45 min). Temperature, arterial blood gases, and pH were maintained constant. Cerebral blood flow was measured using laser‐Doppler flowmetry. After surgery, cognitive and behavioral function was re‐evaluated for 10 days. On day 11, the brains were removed for histopathologic evaluation (hematoxylin/eosin‐staining). Results: Cognitive testing revealed deficits in declarative and working memory in ischemic rats anesthetized with fentanyl/N₂O. Rats anesthetized with sevoflurane during ischemia showed a significantly better outcome. Hippocampal damage was significantly worse with fentanyl/N₂O. Conclusion: The present data add to previous investigations showing that sevoflurane prevents a deficit in cognitive function and histopathological damage induced by cerebral ischemia in rats.     

Fertility and obstetric history in patients with familial Mediterranean fever on long-term colchicine therapy

Summary. The obstetric histories were examined for 36 women with familial Mediterranean fever (FMF) on long-term colchicine treatment followed for periods ranging between 3 and 12 years. Seven of 28 pregnancies (25%) associated with colchicine therapy ended in miscarriage. Thirteen women (36%) had periods of infertility; these were due to ovulatory dysfunction in six women, to peritoneal adhesions in four and remained unexplained in three women. The rates for miscarriage and infertility are high but are similar to those reported for women with FMF before colchicine therapy was introduced. All 16 infants born to mothers who had taken colchicine during pregnancy were healthy. Currently, we do not advise discontinuation of colchicine before planned pregnancy but recommend amniocentesis for karyotyping and reassurance.     

Regulatory Mechanisms of Cell-Mediated Immunity in Allogeneic Pregnancy

ABSTRACT: The transfer of cells from allopregnant animals to syngeneic receivers allografted with paternal strain tumor leads to mild but significant enhancement. The effect can be defined as T cell mediated. Cells from allopregnant animals can suppress a mixed lymphocyte reaction (MLR) of maternal responders against paternal stimulators. The effect relies upon a THY 1+, Ly 2+, Ia+ cell. Cell-mediated lympholysis (CML) assay could also be suppressed by cells from allopregnant animals. Placental products are capable of interfering with allograft rejection in vivo. They can block MLR in vitro, and seem to act in part via the induction of suppressor cells. The respective roles of these depressive components, together with enhancing antibodies, is discussed.