Disruption to the blood brain barrier (BBB) is a leading factor associated with the development of postoperative cognitive dysfunction (POCD). Despite this, the underlying mechanism by which BBB disruption promotes POCD in the elderly population has not yet been not fully elucidated.

Our data suggests that peripheral immune cells may participate in the inflammatory reaction within the hippocampus, following the administration of anesthesia via inhalation with the destruction of the blood-brain barrier.

In this study, we established a POCD mice model using isoflurane, and observed the highly expressed occludin and claudin 5 in brain tissues concomitant with the increased enrichment of CD4 positive cells and NK cells in the hippocampus of POCD mice compared to normal and non-POCD control. Conclusions: Our data suggests that peripheral immune cells may participate in the inflammatory reaction within the hippocampus, following the administration of anesthesia via inhalation with the destruction of the blood-brain barrier.