Effect of subarachnoid nerve block anesthesia on glutamate transporter GLAST and GLT-1 expressions in rabbits.

OBJECTIVE: To observe the effect of subarachnoid nerve block anesthesia on glutamate transporter glutamate-aspartate transporter (GLAST) and GLT-1 expressions in rabbits, and to investigate the effect of peripheral nerve anesthesia on the morphology and function of the spinal cord. METHODS: Twenty healthy New Zealand white rabbits were randomly divided into two groups: the experimental group and control group; with 10 rabbits in each group. For spinal nerve anesthesia, 5 g/L of bupivacaine was used in the experimental group, and sterile saline was used in the control group. After 30 min of cardiac perfusion, GLAST and GLT-1 protein expression in spinal neurons were detected by immunohistochemistry and immunofluorescence staining. RESULTS: GLAST and GLT-1 protein-positive cells increased in neurons in the experimental group, compared with the control group (P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: After subarachnoid nerve block anesthesia, rabbit glutamate transporter GLAST and GLT-1 expression is increased; and spinal cord nerve cell function is inhibited.