ABSTRACT
Objective To investigate the effect of isolated carotid sinus perfusion with propofol on plasma endothelin and nitric oxide levels in diabetic rats.Methods Healthy adult Wistar rats weighing 180-220 g were used in this study.Diabetes mellitus was induced by intraperitoneal streptozotocin 30 mg/kg and confirmed by blood glucose ≥ 16.7 mmol/L.Thirty-six rats in which diabetes mellitus model was successfully established were randomly divided into 3 groups ( n =12):control group (group DC) ;low dose propofol group (group DP1 ) and high dose propofol group (group DP2 ).Another 36 non-diabetic rats were also randomly divided into 3 group ( n =12 each):control group (group NC) ; low dose propofol group group (group NP1 ) and high dose propofol (group NP2 ).After 30 min isolated carotic sinus perfusion with K-H solution (control groups),50 μmol/L propofol in K-H solution (low dose propofol groups) or 100 μmol/L propofol in K-H solution (high dose propofol groups),blood samples were taken for determination of plasma endothelin and nitric oxide concentrations.Results The plasma endothelin concentration was lower and nitric oxide concentration higher in groups DP1 and DP2 than in group DC,and in group DP1 than in group DP2 ( P ＜ 0.05).The plasma endothelin concentration was higher and nitric oxide concentration lower in group NPi than in group DP1,and in group NP2 than in group DP2 ( P ＜ 0.05 ).Conclusion Propofol can decrease endothelin level and increase nitric oxide level in diabetic or non-diabetic rats through local effect on carotid sinus,and the effect is stronger in diabetic rats than in non-diabetic rats.