Effect of propofol on autophagy during oxygen-glucose deprivation/restoration in human liver cells

Objective To evaluate the effect of propofol on autophagy during oxygen-glucose deprivation and restoration (OGD/R) in human liver cells. Methods Human hepatic HL-7702 cells at the logarithmic growth phase were seeded into culture plates and randomly divided into 3 groups (n=12 each) using a random number table: control group (group C), OGD/R group, and propofol + OGD/R group (group P+ OGD/R). The cells were cultured in normal culture medium in group C. In OGD/R and P+ OGD/R groups, the cells were subjected to O2-glucose deprivation for 6 h followed by restoration of O2-glucose supply for 12 h. Propofol with a final concentration of 50 mmol/L was added at 10 min before oxygen-glucose deprivation.The cell viability was detected by MTT assay.The expression of autophagy-related proteins such as microtubule-associated protein light chain 3 (LC3) and Beclin-1 was evaluated by Western blot.Immunofluorescence was used to determine the number and distribution of autophagosomes. Results Compared with group C, the cell viability was significantly decreased, the expression of LC3 and Beclin-1 was significantly up-regulated (P<0.05), and the number of autophagosomes was significantly increased in OGD/R and P+ OGD/R groups.Compared with group OGD/R, the cell viability was significantly increased, the expression of LC3 and Beclin-1 was significantly down-regulated (P<0.05), and the number of autophagosomes was significantly decreased in group P+ OGD/R. Conclusion The mechanism by which propofol reduces OGD/R injury is probably related to inhibition of autophagy in human liver cells. Key words: Propofol; Reperfusion injury; Liver; Autophagy