Effects of propofol or midazolam on cell apoptosis and Bcl-2/Bax gene expression induced by hepatic ischemia-reperfusion in rats

Objective To investigate the effects of propofol or midazolam on cell apoptosis and apoptosis-regulating genes Bcl-2/Bax expression induced by hepatic ischemia-reperfusion in rats.Methods Seventy-two SD rats were randomly divided into 4 groups(n=18):sham-operated control group(group Sham),ischemia-reperfusion group(group IR),propofol group(group P)and midazolam group(group M).Each group was divided into 3 time phases at 1 h,3 h,6 h after reperfusion.To establish a rat model of hepatic ischemia-reperfusion.The left hepatic lobes were sampled at the end of reperfusion.Bcl-2 and Bax protein expression in liver tissue was assessed by immuno-histochemical method.The apoptosis index(AI)of hepatic cell were measured by TUNEL method.The histological change of liver were observed using light microscopy and electronic microscopy.Results Bcl-2,Bax protein expression and apoptosis index of hepatic cell were statistically different between group Sham and group IR,P,M(P0.05).Bcl-2 protein expression was significantly higher while Bax protein expression and AI significantly lower in group P,M than group IR(P0.05).Bcl-2 protein expression was lower while Bax protein expression and AI higher in group M than group P(P0.05).The result in three time phases of group IR,P,M reached the peak at 6 h after reperfusion.The pathological lesions were lighter in group P,M than that in group IR under light microscopy and electronic microscopy.Conclusion Propofol and midazolam can relieve the liver cellular apoptosis by regulating Bcl-2 and Bax protein expression.They may protect rat from hepatic ischemia-reperfusion injury.And the protective effect of propofol was greater than that of midazolam.