RESUMO
Objective To investigate the effect of propofol on the function of gap junction (GJ) in HeLa cells transfected with Cx32/Cx26 plasmid. Methods Cervical cancer HeLa cells transfected with Cx32/Cx26 was given as present by professor Andrew L. Harris from New Jersey Dental Medical School, department of pharmacology and physiology. The transfected cells were selected by G-418. The effective GJ channels were identified by "Parachute Assay". The cells were randomly divided into 6 groups: Ⅰ control group (group C); Ⅱ fat emulsion group was exposed to fat emulsion 10 μg/ml (group E); Ⅲ 18-α-GA group was exposed 18-α-GA (gap junction blocker) 1.0 μg/ml (18-α-GA); Ⅳ, Ⅴ, Ⅵ propofol groups were exposed to propofol 1.3, 2.2 and 3.2μg/ml respectively (group P1, P2, P3). The transfected HeLa cells were incubated at 37 ℃ for 4 h. Gap junction function was assessed using fluorescent indicators Calcine-AM which emits green fluorescence and CM-Dil which emits red fluorescence. The small molecular Calcine-AM can pass through gap junction and enters HeLa cells while the large molecular CM-Dil cannot pass through gap junction and stays in the loading cells. Fluorescent indicator transmissibility and inhibition rate were calculated. Results The fluorescent indicator transmissibility was significantly lower and inhibition rate higher in group 18-α-GA, P1, P2 and P3 than in control group. There was nosignificant difference in the fluorescent indicator transmissibility and inhibition rate between group C and E. The inhibition of GJ function by propofol was dose-dependent. Conclusion Propofol can inhibit the function of GJ in HeLa cells transfected by Cx32/Cx26 in a dose-dependent manner.