Life sciences
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Critically ill old patients sometimes require repeated surgical interventions, and thus it is important to determine the influence of repeated exposure to anesthetics on learning and memory. Sevoflurane, a widely used inhalation anesthetic, has few neurological adverse effects and offers a rapid return to consciousness. But the long-term influence of sevoflurane exposure and the effect of repeated sevoflurane exposure on cognition have rarely been reported, and available studies are contradictory. ⋯ Repeated exposure to sevoflurane impaired the learning and memory of old male rats, an impairment that was accompanied by cognition-related biochemical changes in the hippocampus.
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Previous reports from our laboratory have established that morphine-6-O-sulfate (M6S) is a mixed μ/δ opioid receptor (OR) agonist and a potential improved alternative to morphine for treatment of chronic multimodal pain in non-diabetic rats. This study extends the antinociceptive effects of M6S and morphine in STZ-induced diabetic rats. ⋯ These studies provide additional confirmation for the mixed μ/δ activity of M6S and demonstrate potential improved clinical utility for dual μ/δ agonists relative to morphine in treatment of diabetic neuropathy across multiple pain domains.