Effects of propofol on cytotoxicity of bupivacaine: intracellular Ca2+ concentration and nitric oxide synthase activity in PC12 cells exposed to bupivacaine / 中华麻醉学杂志

ABSTRACT

Objective To investigate the effects of propofol on intracellular free Ca2+ concentration and nitric oxide synthase (NOS) activity in PC12 cells exposed to bupivacaine. Methods The PC12 cells were provided by Shanghai Cell Biology Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Sciences and cultured in DMEM liquid culture medium. The cultured PC12 cells were seeded in 36 well plates and randomly assigned to one of 4 groups (n=9 wells each) group Ⅰ control (C);group Ⅱ propofol (P);group Ⅲ bupivacaine (B) and group Ⅳ propofol + bupivacaine (PB). In control group D-Hank solution was added. The cells were exposed to propofol 2 mmol/L and bupivacaine 0.09 mmol/L in group P and B respectively. In group PB the cells were incubated with propofol 2 mmol/L and bupivacaine 0.09 mmol/L simultaneously. After being incubated for 6 and 24 h the apoptosis in BC12 cells was assessed by flow cytometry. Apoptotic rate was calculated. NOS activity and intracellular free Ca2+ coneentration in PC12 cells were determined. Results Bupivacaine significantly increased the apoptotic rate of PC12 cells, the intracellular free Ca2+ concentration and NOS activity in PC12 cells in group B as compared with control group. Propofol significantly decreased the toxic effects of bupivacaine on PC12 cells in group PB compared with group B. Conclusion Bupivacaine is toxic to PC12 cells by increasing apoptosis, intracellular Ca+ concentration and NOS activity in the cells. The toxic effects can be prevented to some extent by concomitant administration of propofol.