Effect of propofol on expression of c-fos mRNA in hippocampus in rats with visceral pain / 中华麻醉学杂志

ABSTRACT

Objective To investigate the effect of propofol on the expression of c-fos mRNA in hippocampus in rats with visceral pain (VP).Methods Thirty male Sprague-Dawley rats,weighing 180-240 g,were randomly divided into 3 groups (n =10 each)VP group,propofol 7.5 mg/kg group (group P1) and propofol 75.0 mg/kg group (group P2).0.9％ normal saline was injected intravenously via the caudal vein in group VP.Propofol 7.5 and 75.0 mg/kg were injected intravenously via the caudal vein in groups P1 and P2,respectively.VP was produced by colorectal distension in anesthetized rats.The threshold of VP was assessed by the intra-balloon pressure which was limited to 100 mm Hg to avoid damage to intestine before and after administration.The rats were sacrificed after measurement of the pain threshold,their brains were removed and hippocampi were isolated for determination of the expression of c-fos mRNA by RT-PCR.Results Compared with group VP,the threshold of VP was significantly increased and the expression of c-fos mRNA in hippocampus was down-regulated in groups P1 and P2 (P ＜ 0.05).The threshold of VP was significantly higher and the expression of c-fos mRNA in hippocampus was lower in group P2 than in group P1 (P ＜ 0.05).Conclusion Propofol can reduce VP through down-regulating the expression of c-fos mRNA in hippocampus in rats.