miR-188-3p overexpression stabilized p53 and contributed to the neuroapoptosis induced by sevoflurane. (A) Protein and (B) mRNA levels of p53 were detected by western blot analysis and RT-qPCR, respectively, in the hippocampal tissues of rats that were treated with miR-188-3p mimics or NC miRNA, n=8/group. (C) mRNA and (D) protein levels of p53 in the hippocampal tissues of rats with or without sevoflurane treatment were detected by RT-qPCR and western blot analysis, respectively, n=8/group. (E) SH-SY5Y neuroblastoma cells were exposed to sevoflurane with or without the specific inhibitor of p53, PFT-α, and the cell apoptosis rate was determined by flow cytometry. ***P<0.001 as indicated. miR/miRNA, microRNA; RT-qPCR, reverse transcription-quantitative polymerase chain reaction; NC, negative control; PFT-α, pifithrin-α; ns, not significant.