Effects of short-term exposure to sevoflurane on the survival, proliferation, apoptosis, and differentiation of neural precursor cells derived from human embryonic stem cells

Abstract

Purpose: Data from animal experiments suggest that exposure to general anesthetics in early life inhibits neurogenesis and causes long-term memory deficit. Regarding a short operating time and popularity of sevoflurane in pediatric anesthesia, it is important to verify effects of short period exposure to sevoflurane on developing brain. Methods: We measured the effects of short-term exposure (2 h) to 3%, 6% or 8% sevoflurane, the most commonly used anesthetic, on neural precursor cells derived from human embryonic stem cells, SNUhES32. On days 1, 3, 5 and 7 post-treatment, cell survival, proliferation, apoptosis and differentiation were analyzed. Results: Treatment with 6% sevoflurane increased cell viability (P = 0.046) and decreased apoptosis (P = 0.014) on day 5, but didnt last on day 7. Survival and apoptosis were not affected by 3% and 8% sevoflurane

there was no effect of proliferation at any of the tested concentrations. The differentiation of cells exposed to 6% or 8% sevoflurane decreased on day 1 (P = 0.033 and 0.036 for 6% and 8% sevoflurane, respectively) but was again normalized on days 3–7. Conclusion: The clinically relevant treatment with sevoflurane for 2 h induces no significant changes of the survival, proliferation, apoptosis and differentiation of human neural precursor cells, although supra-clinical doses of sevoflurane alter human neurogenesis transiently.