Effect of intraperitoneal desferroxmine on postoperative cognitive function of aged rats

Objective To evaluate the effect of intraperitoneal desferroxmine on the postoperative cognitive function of aged rats.Methods Twenty-four male Sprague-Dawley rats,aged 15-18 months,weighing 490-550 g,were randomly divided into 3 groups (n =8 each) using a random number table:control group (group C),operation group (group O),and desferroxmine group (group D).Exploratory laparotomy was performed after anesthesia in O and D groups.In group D,desferroxmine was injected intraperitoneally (100 mg/kg per time,each time lasting for 12 h) for 7 consecutive days,starting from 7 days before operation,while the equal volume of normal saline (100 ml/kg) was given in group O.All the rats underwent Morris water maze test at 3 days after operation,and the escape latency and frequency of crossing the original platform were recorded.The rats were then sacrificed and the hippocampus was removed for detection of ferritin expression.Results Compared with group C,the escape latency was significantly prolonged,the frequency of crossing the original platform was decreased,and ferritin expression was up-regulated in group O,and no significant changes were found in each parameter mentioned above in group D.Compared with group O,the escape latency was significantly shortened,the frequency of crossing the original platform was increased,and ferritin expression was down-regulated in group D.Conclusion Intraperitoneal desferroxmine 100 mg/kg (injected for 7 consecutive days) before operation can improve the postoperative cognitive function of aged rats. Key words: Deferoxamine ;  Aged ;  Cognition disorders ;  Postoperative complications