[The influences of propofol on corticosteroid and immunity of rats after hemorrhagic shock and resuscitation].

OBJECTIVE: To observe the influence of propofol on corticosteroid, and cytokines in rats after hemorrhagic shock and resuscitation, as well as its protective effects on vital organs. METHODS: Sixty-six male Wistar rats were randomly divided into three groups: control group, hemorrhagic shock and resuscitation group and propofol treatment group. After the model of hemorrhagic shock and resuscitation was reproduced, propofol was infused in propofol treatment group at the speed of 10 mg.kg(-1).h(-1) via femoral vein, while equal amount of normal saline was infused in hemorrhagic shock and resuscitation group. Abdominal aortic blood, lung and small intestinal tissue samples were collected at 30, 60, 120, 180 and 240 minutes, 6 rats at each time point in hemorrhagic shock and resuscitation group and propofol treatment group. Plasma cortisol, interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma) and interleukin-4 (IL-4) concentrations were measured using enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Histopathological changes in lung and small intestine were observed using optical microscope and then histopathological scores were assessed. RESULTS: Comparing with control group, the concentration of cortisol in plasma decreased significantly (all P<0.01), both IFN-gamma and IL-4 increased progressively, and the IFN-gamma/IL-4 ratio decreased gradually with the progress of the course (all P<0.01). Serious injury to lung and small intestinal tissue was observed, and remarkable elevation of histopathological scores was found in hemorrhagic shock and resuscitation group (lung: 3.09+/-0.56 vs. 0.31+/-0.25, small intestine: 7.61+/-1.20 vs. 0.86+/-0.72, both P<0.01). In propofol treatment group, the extent of decrease in corticosteroid level was lessened, the extent of elevation of IFN-gamma and IL-4 was decreased, the downward trend of the IFN-gamma/IL-4 ratio was slowed down (P<0.05 or P<0.01), the extent of injury to lung and small intestinal tissue was alleviated and histopathological scores were reduced remarkably (lung: 1.27+/-0.40, small intestine: 3.69+/-1.28, both P<0.01). CONCLUSION: Propofol can ameliorate the lowering of corticosteroid secretion, moderate inflammatory response, and protect vital organs in rats with hemorrhagic shock.