Effects of 17β-estradiol on propofol-induced rat cortical neuroapoptosis / 中国比较医学杂志

ABSTRACT

Objective To investigate the protective effects and the mechanisms of 17β-estradiol on the propofol-induced neuroapoptosis in primary cultured rat cortical neurons.Methods The neurons were cultured for 7 days and then divided into three groups: vehicle-control group ( treated with equal volume of 20% intralipid ) , propofol-treated group ( treated with 500μmol/L propofol) , and propofol plus 17β-estradiol treated group ( treated with 500μmol/L propofol and 0.1 μmol/L 17β-estradiol).12 hours after the treatment, neuroapoptosis was detected by Hoechst 33258 staining and TUNEL assay, and the levels of Bcl-2, Bax and cleaved caspase-3 proteins were detected by Western blot.Results Compared with the vehicle-control group, the neuroapoptosis increased greatly ( P<0.01 ) , Bcl-2 level reduced ( P <0.01), Bax and cleaved caspase-3 levels increased greatly (P<0.01), and Bcl-2/Bax ratio reduced significantly (P<0.01).Compared with the propofol-treatment group, the neuroapoptosis decreased greatly ( P <0.01), Bcl-2 level increased ( P<0.01 ) , Bax and cleaved caspase-3 levels reduced greatly ( P <0.01 ) , and Bcl-2/Bax ratio increased greatly ( P <0.01 ) . Conclusions 17β-estradiol can protect cortical neurons against propofol-induced cortical neuroapoptosis by regulating the expression of Bcl-2 and Bax.