Protective effects of propofol on the lungs against acute injury induced by lipopolysaccharide in rats

Objective To investigate the protective effects of different concentrations of propofol on the lungs apainst acute injury induced by lipopolysaccharide (us) in rats.Methods Twenty-four male Wistar rats weighing 150-250g were randomly divided into 4 groups with 6 animals in each group : (1) control group received only normal saline; (2) LPS group received LPS 5 mg·kg~(-1)i. v.; (3) propofol group 1 received a bolus 5 mg· kg~(-1) after LPS followed by propofol infusion at 5 mg·kg~(-1) ; (4) propofol group Ⅱ received a bolus of propofol 10 mg.kg~(-1) after LPS followed by propofol infusion 10 mg·kg~(-1). Blood samples were obtained from femoral artery for determintiion of serum concentrations of TNF-α, IL-β and IL-10 at 1, 2, 3, 4 h after LPS injection. The animals were then killed by exsanguination. The lungs were removed. Left lung was lavaged and the broncho- alveolar lavage fluid (BALF) was collected for determination of its neutrophil count, and protein, TNF-α, IL-Iβ and IL-10 levels. Right lung was used for measurement of wet / dry lung weight ratio. Results In LPS group the wet/dry lung weight ratio, BALF neutrophil counts and protein contents and BALF and serum TNF-β, Ib-Iβ and IL-10 levels were significantly increased compared with control group (P0.01 ). Propofol treatment attenuated the increase in wet/dry lung weight ratio, BALF neutrophil counts and protein content and BAIF and serum TNF- α, IL-Iβ and IL-10 levels in a dose-dependent manner. Conclusion Propofol can attenuate LPS-induced acute lung injury in a dose-dependent manner.