• Lin Chen, Wenji Xie, Wenqin Xie, Weiqiang Zhuang, Changcheng Jiang, and Naizhen Liu.
• Department of Anesthesiology, Hui'an Hospital, No. 182 Zhongshan North Road, Quanzhou 362000, China.
• Arch Gerontol Geriatr. 2017 Nov 1; 73: 29-36.

Purpose Of The ResearchPost operational cognitive dysfunction (POCD) occurs in patients after anesthesia and surgery. Abnormal histone acetylation and neuroinflammation are key factors in the pathogenesis of cognitive impairment. Apigenin not only has an anti-inflammatory activity but also modifies histone acetylation. We aimed to investigate whether apigenin can attenuate isoflurane exposure-induced cognitive decline by regulating histone acetylation and inflammatory signaling.Materials And MethodsSpatial learning and memory were assessed by Morris water maze test. Levels of histone acetylation, BDNF and downstream signaling, and inflammatory components were analyzed.Principal ResultsIsoflurane exposure in aged rats lead to impaired spatial learning and memory. These rats exhibited dysregulated histone H3K9 and H4K12 acetylation, which was accompanied by reduced BDNF expression and suppressed BDNF downstream signaling pathway. Apigenin restored histone acetylation and BDNF signaling. Apigenin also suppressed isoflurane exposure induced upregulation of proinflammatory cytokines and NFκB signaling pathway.Major ConclusionsMemory impairment induced by isoflurane exposure is associated with dysregulated histone acetylation in the hippocampus, which affects BDNF expression and hence BDNF downstream signaling pathway. Apigenin recovers cognitive function by restoring histone acetylation and suppressing neuroinflammation.Copyright © 2017 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

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