[Protective effect of propofol on liver during ischemia-reperfusion injury in patients undergoing liver surgery].

OBJECTIVE: To explore the protective effect of propofol on liver during hepatic ischemia/reperfusion injury (HIRI) and its mechanisms in patients undergoing liver surgery. METHODS: Eighteen patients who were scheduled for selective hepatic surgery were randomly divided into control group (n=9) and propofol treatment group (n=9). Changes of several parameters in plasma and effects of propofol on them were observed before liver ischemia, at end of ischemia and at reperfusion for 25 minutes, parameters of which included superoxide dismutase (SOD), xanthine oxidase (XO), lipid peroxide (LPO) and alanine aminotransferase (ALT) activity, and the ultrastructure changes in liver tissue were observed under electron microscope at 25 minutes after reperfusion. RESULTS: SOD activity decreased remarkably (P<0.01); XO activity, LPO concentration and ALT value increased significantly (P<0.01) during HIRI, and there were abnormal changes of the hepatic ultrastructure at 25 minutes after reperfusion. Afer treatment with propofol, the variation of all parameters were alleviated markedly (P<0.05 and P<0.01). CONCLUSION: Propofol has protective effects on HIRI by reducing oxygen free radical level and inhibiting lipid peroxidation after hepatic ischemia/reperfusion in patients undergoing liver cancer surgery.