2. Academic Validation
  3. Myelin modulates the process of isoflurane anesthesia through the regulation of neural activity

Myelin modulates the process of isoflurane anesthesia through the regulation of neural activity

  • CNS Neurosci Ther. 2024 Aug;30(8):e14922. doi: 10.1111/cns.14922.
Xu Wang 1 2 3,  Rulan Yi 1 2 3 4,  Xiaoling Liang 1 2 3,  Ning Zhang 1 2 3,  Fuwang Zhong 1 2 3,  Yali Lu 1 2 3,  Wenjia Chen 1 2 3,  Tian Yu 1 2 3 4,  Linyong Zhang 4,  Haiying Wang 1 2 3 4,  Liang Zhou 1 2 3 4
Affiliations

Affiliations

  • 1 Key Laboratory of Anesthesia and Organ Protection (Zunyi Medical University), Ministry of Education, Zunyi Medical University, Zunyi, China.
  • 2 Key Laboratory of Brain Science, Zunyi Medical University, Zunyi, China.
  • 3 Guizhou Key Laboratory of Anesthesia and Organ Protection, Zunyi Medical University, Zunyi, China.
  • 4 Department of Anesthesiology, Affiliated Hospital of Zunyi Medical University, Zunyi, China.
PMID: 39138640 DOI: 10.1111/cns.14922
Abstract

Aims: The mechanism underlying the reversible unconsciousness induced by general anesthetics (GA) remains unclear. Recent studies revealed the critical roles of myelin and oligodendrocytes (OLs) in higher functions of the brain. However, it is unknown whether myelin actively participates in the regulation of GA. The aim of this study is to investigate the roles and possible mechanisms of myelin in the regulation of consciousness alterations induced by isoflurane anesthesia.

Methods: First, demyelination models for the entire brain and specific neural nuclei were established to investigate the potential role of myelination in the regulation of GA, as well as its possible regional specificity. c-Fos staining was then performed on the demyelinated nuclei to verify the impact of myelin loss on neuronal activity. Finally, the activity of neurons during isoflurane anesthesia in demyelinated mice was recorded by optical fiber photometric calcium signal. The related behavioral indicators and EEG were recorded and analyzed.

Results: A prolonged emergence time was observed from isoflurane anesthesia in demyelinated mice, which suggested the involvement of myelin in regulating GA. The demyelination in distinct nuclei by LPC further clarified the region-specific roles of isoflurane anesthesia regulation by myelin. The effect of demyelination on isoflurane anesthesia in the certain nucleus was consistent with that in neurons towards isoflurane anesthesia. Finally, we found that the mechanism of myelin in the modulation of isoflurane anesthesia is possibly through the regulation of neuronal activity.

Conclusions: In brief, myelin in the distinct neural nucleus plays an essential role in regulating the process of isoflurane anesthesia. The possible mechanism of myelin in the regulation of isoflurane anesthesia is neuronal activity modification by myelin integrity during GA. Our findings enhanced the comprehension of myelin function, and offered a fresh perspective for investigating the neural mechanisms of GA.

Keywords

consciousness; general anesthesia; isoflurane; myelin; neural activity.

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