Genotoxicity evaluation of isoflurane and sevoflurane in anaesthetized buffaloes

This study was conducted to assess and compare the quantum of genetic (DNA) damage by isoflurane and sevoflurane during anaesthesia in buffaloes. Thirty six buffaloes of 2–6 yr of age and 220–470 kg of body weight presented for the treatment of diaphragmatic herniorrhaphy were randomly selected. After premedication with glycopyrrolate, xylazine and butorphanol, anaesthesia was induced with propofol (P)/combination of xylazine and ketamine (K)/thiopentone sodium (T). For maintenance, either isoflurane (in groups PI, KI, and TI) or sevoflurane (in groups PS, KS and TS) was used for one hour along with 100% oxygen through a semi-closed rebreathing system. The blood samples were collected preoperatively, at recovery and at 24 hr of recovery. The total RNA was isolated from blood, reverse transcribed and real time PCR (qPCR) was performed to study the quantitative expression of OGG1 (8-oxoguanine DNA glycosidase-1) gene. qPCR assay revealed higher expression of OGG1 gene in groups KI and TI than groups KS, PS and TS. On the basis of relative expression of OGG1 gene, it can be concluded that sevoflurane was less genotoxic than isoflurane in anaesthetized buffaloes. Also, the genotoxicity was less in animals which recovered early from anaesthesia.