Effects of propofol on the anoxic and re-oxygen responses of primary cultured hippocampal neurons

Objective To evaluate the effects of propofol on the anoxic and re-oxygen responses of primary cultured hippocampal neurons. Methods Cultrued -12-day hippocampal cells were randomly divided into three groups: normal control group(Group Nor),anoxia 4 hours and re-oxygen 24 hours group(Group Ano),anoxia 4 hours and re-oxygen 24 hours with 500μmol/L propofol group (Group Pro). Surviving-cell ratio was assayed by MTT,the expression of nNOS protein was measured by immunofleurescence staining and neuron apoptosis ratie was determined by flow cytometry for each group. Results The nNOS protein expression and apoptosis ratio in Group Pro were less than those in Group Ano. Surviving-cell ratio in Group Pro was significantly higher than that in Group Ano (P﹤0.01),but lower than that in Group Nor. Conclusions Propofol may enhance the tolerance ability of primary cultured hippocampal neurons to anoxia by reducing the expression of nNOS protein and apoptosis of cells.