Protective effects of propofol on isolated rat heart against ischemia reperfusion injury

Objective To investigate the protective effects of different treatment modus of propofol on isolated rat hearts against ischemia-reperfusion injury,and to explore the optimal administration route.Methods 32 SD rat hearts were isolated and perfused with oxygenated Krebs-Hensleit(K-H)solution in a Langendorff apparatus.The isolated hearts were randomly divided into 4 groups(8 hearts each group):ischemia-reperfusion group(A group)in which the isolated hearts were subjected to 30 min no-flow global ischemia followed by 60 min reperfusion after 40 min stabilization;propofol pretreatment group(B group)in which the hearts were perfused with K-H solution containing propofol(50μmol/L)for 10 min followed by 10 min propofol washout before ischemia-reperfusion;propofol posttreatment group(C group)in which the hearts were perfused with K-H solution containing propofol(50μmol/L)for 10 min after global ischemia;propofol treatment group(D group)in which the hearts were perfused with K-H solution containing propofol(50 μmol/L)for 20 min before ischemia and after global ischemia.The left ventricular develop pressure(LVDP),the left ventricular end-diastolic pressure(LVEDP),the heart rate(HR),and ±dp/dtmax were monitored continuously.At the end of reperfusion myocardial specimen was obtained from left ventrical and homogenized for determination of the activities of superoxide dismutase(SOD)and contents of malondialdehyde(MDA).Results Compared with those of group A,HR,LVDP,LVEDP and ±dp/dtmax were significantly improved,the activities of SOD increased,while the contents of MDA decreased in group B,C,and D,especially in group D(P0.01).Conclusion Propofol can protect isolated rat heart against ischemia-reperfusion injury.Treatment of 50μmol/L propofol before and after global ischemia can improve function of the isolated rat heart after ischemia-reperfusion injury.