Inhibition of the P38 MAPK/NLRP3 pathway mitigates cognitive dysfunction and mood alterations in aged mice after abdominal surgery plus sevoflurane.

Background: Cognitive dysfunction, encompassing perioperative psychological distress and cognitive impairment, is a prevalent postoperative complication within the elderly population, and in severe cases, it may lead to dementia. Building upon our prior research that unveiled a connection between postoperative mood fluctuations and cognitive dysfunction with the phosphorylation of P38, this present investigation aims to delve deeper into the involvement of the P38 MAPK/NLRP3 pathway in perioperative neurocognitive disorders (PND) in an abdominal exploratory laparotomy (AEL) aged mice model.

Methods: C57BL/6 mice (male, 18-month-old) underwent AEL with 3 % anesthesia.

NLRP3-GABA signaling pathway contributes to the pathogenesis of impulsive-like behaviors and cognitive deficits in aged mice.

Background: Perioperative neurocognitive disorders (PND), such as delirium and cognitive impairment, are commonly encountered complications in aged patients. The inhibitory neurotransmitter γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) is aberrantly synthesized from reactive astrocytes following inflammatory stimulation and is implicated in the pathophysiology of neurodegenerative diseases. Additionally, the activation of NOD-like receptor protein 3 (NLRP3) inflammasome is involved in PND.

Spautin-1 Protects Against Mild TBI-Induced Anxiety-Like Behavior in Mice via Immunologically Silent Apoptosis.

Anxiety is reportedly one of the most common mental changes after traumatic brain injury (TBI). Perineuronal nets (PNNs) produced by astrocytes in the lateral hypothalamus (LHA) that surround gamma-aminobutyric acid-ergic (GABAergic) neurons have been associated with anxiety. The potent anti-tumor effects of Spautin-1, a novel autophagy inhibitor, have been documented in malignant melanoma; moreover, the inhibition of autophagy is reported to mitigate anxiety disorders.

Abdominal surgery plus sevoflurane exposure induces abnormal emotional changes and cognitive dysfunction in aged rats.

Background: Cognitive impairment, which includes perioperative psychological distress and cognitive dysfunction, can be determined by preoperative and post-operative neuropsychological tests. Several mechanisms have been proposed regarding the two-way communication between the immune system and the brain after surgery. We aimed to understand the mechanisms underlying perioperative neurocognitive disorders (PND) in elderly rats using an experimental abdominal surgery model.

IL-18BP Alleviates Anxiety-Like Behavior Induced by Traumatic Stress via Inhibition of the IL-18R-NLRP3 Signaling Pathway in a Mouse Model of Hemorrhagic Shock and Resuscitation.

Psychological distress and posttraumatic stress, including anxiety, severely influence life quality. Previously, we reported that interleukin-18 (IL-18) was involved in pyroptosis-induced emotional changes in a rodent model of hemorrhagic shock and resuscitation (HSR). Here, we aimed to continue our investigation on the role of IL-18 binding protein (IL-18BP), which exhibits excellent anti-inflammatory effects as an IL-18 negative regulator.