Effect of propofol pretreatment on the expression of Beclin-1 in rats with acute lung injury

Objective To investigate the protective effect of propofol pretreatment in a rat model of acute lung injury and the possible mechanisms.Methods Forty-five male SD rats weighing [(250-280) g] were randomly divided into 3 groups (n =15 each):control group (group C),lipopolysaccharide (LPS) group (group L) and LPS ± propofol group (group LP).Saline solution was injected into rats of group C through caudal vein.LPS (7.5 mg/kg) was injected into rats of group LP through caudal vein.LPS (7.5 mg/kg) and propofol (30 mg/kg) were injected into the rats of group LP through caudal vein at the same time.After the experiment,the lung wet-to-dry weight ratio (W/D),total protein (TP) contents,and counts of white blood cells (WBC) in broncho-alveolar lavage fluid (BALF) were determined.The expression of Becin1 was measured by Western blotting.Results As compared with group C,the W/D,WBC counts,TP contents and expression of Beclin-1 were significantly increased in group L [5.21 ± 0.27,(6.57 ± 1.25) × 106/L,(2.01 ± 0.32) g/ml and 0.31 ± 0.11 respectively).As compared with group L,the W/D,WBC counts,TP contents and expression of Beclin-1 were significantly increased in group L [4.41 ±0.21,(2.67 ±0.38) × 106/L,(0.27 ±0.11) g/ml and 0.47 ±0.15 respectively].Conclusion Propofol exerts a lung protective effect in the rats of ALI,which may be associated with the expression of autophagy related protein Beclin-1. Key words: Ventilator-induced lung injury;  Acute lung injury;  Propofol;  Beclin-1