Aims: Effects of 3-n-Butylphthalide (NBP) on neuroinflammation in postoperative cognitive dysfunction (POCD) have not been well studied. This study aimed to investigate the effects of NBP treatment on surgery-induced cognitive dysfunction in mice.
Methods: Male C57BL/6 mice, aged ten months, were subjected to tibialfracture surgery while under isoflurane anesthesia in order to mimic orthopedic surgery performed on humans. Tests to assess behavior were conducted at the specified time intervals. We observed structural changes in hippocampal neurons, mitochondria and Golgi apparatus by transmission electron microscopy. The expression levels of IBA1, TNF-α, IL-1β, and apoptotic proteins were determined using Western blot and ELISA.
Results: The results indicated that NBP treatment ameliorates surgery-induced cognitive impairment. Moreover, NBP treatment inhibits microglial activation and reverses neuronal, mitochondrial and Golgi damage in the hippocampus of POCD mice. Furthermore, NBP decreases neuroinflammation in the hippocampus of mice with POCD.
Conclusion: Our research indicates that NBP could be a promising target for therapeutic intervention in POCD.