Propofol effects on excitatory synaptic efficacy in the CA1 region of the developing hippocampus

Brain Res Dev Brain Res. 2005 Jun 9;157(1):1-7. doi: 10.1016/j.devbrainres.2005.02.011. Epub 2005 Apr 15.

Abstract

The anesthetic, propofol, effectively suppresses excitatory synaptic transmission and facilitates long-term depression (LTD) in the CA1 region of the hippocampus. Here, we have examined whether these effects are different in the developing hippocampus. We found that propofol in suppressing whole-cell excitatory postsynaptic currents (EPSC) was more effective in 21 day old rats than either in 7 day old rats or under the condition of high intracellular chloride concentration in 21 day old rats. Furthermore, the propofol concentration to facilitate the NMDA receptor-dependent LTD was lower at postnatal day 21 than at postnatal day 7. Interestingly, the decay time of EPSC was decreased during the development from postnatal day 7 to 21, but it was increased by the recording condition of high intracellular chloride concentration or by propofol administration. All these effects of propofol were dependent on the chloride channel opening. These observations suggest that propofol may induce differential anesthetic effects in the developing hippocampus, at least partially, depending on the intracellular chloride concentration.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Age Factors
  • Animals
  • Animals, Newborn
  • Chlorides / pharmacology
  • Dose-Response Relationship, Drug
  • Drug Interactions
  • Electric Stimulation / methods
  • Excitatory Postsynaptic Potentials / drug effects*
  • GABA Antagonists / pharmacology
  • Hippocampus / drug effects*
  • Hippocampus / growth & development*
  • Hypnotics and Sedatives / pharmacology*
  • In Vitro Techniques
  • Long-Term Synaptic Depression / drug effects
  • Patch-Clamp Techniques / methods
  • Picrotoxin / pharmacology
  • Propofol / pharmacology*
  • Rats
  • Rats, Wistar
  • Synaptic Transmission / drug effects*
  • Time Factors

Substances

  • Chlorides
  • GABA Antagonists
  • Hypnotics and Sedatives
  • Picrotoxin
  • Propofol