Effect of propofol on apoptosis in spinal cord neurons induced by ischemia- reperfusion injury in rats / 中华麻醉学杂志

ABSTRACT

Objective To investigate the effect of propofol on expression of cyclinD1 and apoptosis in spinal cord neurons induced by ischemia-reperfusion (I/R) .Methods Sixty male Wistar rats weighing 200-250 g were randomly divided into 2 groups ( n = 30 each) group A I/R and group B propofol + I/R. The animals were anesthetized with 7% chloral hydrate 6 ml?kg-1. The abdomen was opened and the abdominal aorta was clamped distal to the left renal artery for 20 min. The aortic cross clamp was then released to allow reperfusion. In propofol group propofol 100 mg?kg-1 was administered intraperitoneally (IP) during the operation. Neurologic function was assessed using Taylor scale (0 = unable to move hind limbs, 4 = normal function) at 6 h after operation and on postoperative day 1, 2, 3, 7 (n = 6 at each time point) . The animals were killed after neurologic function evaluation and the spinal cord was removed for microscopic examination, detection of apoptosis in the spinal cord neurons ( TUNEL) and determination of cyclinD1 expression (immuno-histochemistry) . Results The histo-pathological damage to the neurons was significantly lighter, the neurological function better and the apoptotic index and the cyclinD1 expression were significantly lower in propofol group than in I/R group. Conclusion Propofol protects spinal cord against I/R injury by reducing neuronal apoptosis through down-regulation of cyclinD1 expression.