There are no official guidelines to assist in answering this question. I will search for relevant research papers instead.
From the Research
NLRP3 Inflammasome Activation and Surgery
- Surgery can activate the NLRP3 inflammasome, as evidenced by studies that have shown increased expression of NLRP3, ASC, and IL-1β in the hippocampus of mice after surgical procedures 1, 2, 3.
- The activation of the NLRP3 inflammasome after surgery can lead to neuroinflammation and cognitive impairment, which can be mitigated by inhibiting the NLRP3 inflammasome or by using anti-inflammatory agents 1, 2, 3.
- The mechanism of NLRP3 inflammasome activation after surgery is not fully understood, but it is thought to involve the release of damage-associated molecular patterns (DAMPs) and the activation of mitophagy 2.
- Chronic stress can also exacerbate NLRP3-mediated neuroinflammation and postoperative hyperalgesia, suggesting that stress management may be an important consideration in the prevention of postoperative cognitive dysfunction (POCD) 4.
Role of Mitophagy in NLRP3 Inflammasome Activation
- Mitophagy has been shown to play a role in the regulation of NLRP3 inflammasome activation, with dysfunction of mitophagy leading to increased activation of the NLRP3 inflammasome and subsequent neuroinflammation 2.
- Activating mitophagy may have clinical benefits in the prevention of cognitive impairment induced by anesthesia and surgery in elderly patients 2.
Potential Therapeutic Strategies
- Inhibiting the NLRP3 inflammasome or using anti-inflammatory agents may be a potential therapeutic strategy for preventing or treating POCD 1, 2, 3.
- Vitamin D3 supplementation has been shown to attenuate surgery-induced neuroinflammation and cognitive impairment by regulating the NLRP3 inflammasome in mice, suggesting that it may be a potential preventative strategy for clinically reducing postoperative cognitive impairment in elderly surgical patients 3.