Effects of propofol on cerebral expressions of TNF-α and NF-κB following hindlimb ischemia-reperfusion in rats

Objective To investigate the effects of propofol on cerebral expressions of tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α)and nuclear factor-κB(NF-κB)following hindlimb ischemia-reperfusion in rats.Methods Twenty-four SD rats were randomly allocated into three groups with 8 rats each:ischemia-reperfusion group(A),propofol group(B)and control group(C).Expressions of TNF-α and NF-κB in cerebral tissue were detected by immunohistochemical and semi-quantitated by image analysis.Results The expressions of TNF-α and NF-κB increased significantly in group A and B,which were higher in group A than those in group B.Conclusion Propofol has the protective effects on the brains against hindlimb ischemia-reperfusion injury,which may be related to a decrease in over expressions of TNF-α and NF-κB in cerebral tissue after hindlimb ischemia-reperfusion injury in rats.