Research ReportSevoflurane and Isoflurane induce structural changes in brain vascular endothelial cells and increase blood−brain barrier permeability: Possible link to postoperative delirium and cognitive decline

•Anesthetics act on brain vascular endothelial cells to increase BBB permeability.•BBB compromise is transient and linked to flattening of endothelial cell surfaces.•Sevoflurane is more effective than Isoflurane in promoting plasma leak from the BBB.•The vulnerability of the BBB to anesthetics increases markedly with old age.•Extravasated immunoglobulin G showed selective affinity for pyramidal neurons.

A large percentage of patients subjected to general anesthesia at 65 years and older exhibit postoperative delirium (POD). Here, we test the hypothesis that inhaled anesthetics (IAs), such as Sevoflurane and Isoflurane, act directly on brain vascular endothelial cells (BVECs) to increase blood−brain barrier (BBB) permeability, thereby contributing to POD. Rats of young (3-5 months), middle (10-12 months) and old (17-19 months) ages were anesthetized with Sevoflurane or Isoflurane for 3 h. After exposure, some were euthanized immediately; others were allowed to recover for 24 h before sacrifice. Immunohistochemistry was employed to monitor the extent of BBB breach, and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) was used to examine changes in the luminal surfaces of BVECs. Quantitative immunohistochemistry revealed increased BBB permeability in older animals treated with Sevoflurane, but not Isoflurane. Extravasated immunoglobulin G showed selective affinity for pyramidal neurons. SEM demonstrated marked flattening of the luminal surfaces of BVECs in anesthetic-treated rats. Results suggest an aging-linked BBB compromise resulting from exposure to Sevoflurane. Changes in the luminal surface topology of BVECs indicate a direct effect on the plasma membrane, which may weaken or disrupt their BBB-associated tight junctions. Disruption of brain homeostasis due to plasma influx into the brain parenchyma and binding of plasma components (e.g., immunoglobulins) to neurons may contribute to POD. We propose that, in the elderly, exposure to some IAs can cause BBB compromise that disrupts brain homeostasis, perturbs neuronal function and thereby contributes to POD. If unresolved, this may progress to postoperative cognitive decline and later dementia.