Neuroprotective effects of propofol following global cerebral ischemia in rats

Abstract

Propofol has cerebral vascular and metabolic effects similar to those of barbiturates, and it is used to maintain neurosurgical anesthesia because it reduces cerebral metabolic rate, cerebral blood flow, and intracranial pressure. Although the use of propofol as a cerebral protectant during certain neurosurgical procedures has been advocated, consensus has not been reached as to a protective effect of propofol on cerebral ischemia. In this study we observed the neuroprotective effects of propofol during global cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injury by the use of four-vessel occlusion method in a rat model. We measured the levels of malondialdehyde as a marker of lipid peroxidation in ischemic tissue, and the results indicate that propofol plays a role in the inhibition of neuronal death induced by brain ischemia.

Effect of propofol on hypoxia re‐oxygenation induced neuronal cell damage in vitro*

“…Propofol, a widely used intravenous anaesthetic, has been demonstrated to have neuroprotective properties in several in-vivo [11][12][13][14] and in-vitro [15][16][17] models of cerebral hypoxia re-oxygenation injury. Propofol contains a phenolic hydroxyl group and thus its structure resembles that of a-tocopherol (vitamin E) [18], a natural antioxidant.…”

“…In the brain, hypoxia re-oxygenation often leads to severe cellular damage resulting in a loss of neurological function and a poor clinical outcome [6][7][8]. The underlying mechanisms of hypoxia re-oxygenation injury are multifaceted, but recent studies point towards a central role of reactive oxygen species, which are generated during the hypoxia re-oxygenation [9] and may harm cells by damaging DNA, lipid peroxidation and oxidation of proteins [10].Propofol, a widely used intravenous anaesthetic, has been demonstrated to have neuroprotective properties in several in-vivo [11][12][13][14] and in-vitro [15][16][17] models of cerebral hypoxia re-oxygenation injury. Propofol contains a phenolic hydroxyl group and thus its structure resembles that of a-tocopherol (vitamin E) [18], a natural antioxidant.…”

The protective effects of ketamine and propofol in obstructive jaundice: an experimental study

“…Propofol is widely used for the induction and maintenance of general anesthesia, as well as for sedation of intubated postoperative patients on mechanical ventilation. Propofol has been proven to ameliorate ischemic/reperfusion injury in several organs, including the heart (38), lungs (39), brain (40), and kidney (41).…”

Neuroprotection in Animal Models of Global Cerebral Ischemia

“…Thiopental Kofke et al, 1979Pappas & Mironovich, 1981;Todd et al, 1982. Propofol Cai et al, 2011Cervantes et al, 1995 ;Ergün et al, 2002. Progesterone, allopregnanolone Aggarwal et al, 2008Cervantes et al, 2002 ;González-Vidal et al, 1998 ;Moralí et al, 2005 ;Moralí et al, 2011aMoralí et al, , 2011bOzacmak & Sayan, 2009 ;J.M.…”