Effects of propofol on proliferation of hippocampal neurons in fetal rats in vitro

Objective To evaluate the effects of propofol on the proliferation of hippocampal neurons in fetal rats in vitro.Methods Pregnant Sprague-Dawley rats at 16-18 days of gestation,were sacrificed and the fetal rats were taken out from the abdominal cavity.The hippocampal neurons of the fetal rats were isolated and seeded in culture plates.After being cultured for 9 days,the neurons were divided into 7 groups using a random number table(n =36 each):control group (C group),intralipid group (I group) and propofol 0.1,1.0,10.0,100.0,1 000.0 μmol/L groups (P1-5 groups).In group I,10％ intralipid was added to the culture media until the final concentration reached 100 μmol/L.In P1-5 groups,propofol was added to the culture media until the final concentration reached 0.1,1.0,10.0,100.0 and 1 000.0 μmol/L,respectively.The neurons were then incubated for 3 h.The proliferation of hippocampal neurons was determined by MTT assay at 12,24,36,48,60 and 72 h after the end of incubation with propofol.Results Compared with group C,the proliferation of hippocampal neurons was significantly decreased in P1-5 groups (P ＜ 0.05),while no significant change was found in group I (P ＞ 0.05).Compared with group P1,the proliferation of hippocampal neurons was significantly decreased in group P5 (P ＜ 0.05),while no significant change was found in P2-4 groups (P ＞ 0.05).Conclusion Propofol can decrease the proliferation of hippocampal neurons in fetal rats in vitro. Key words: Propofol;  Fetus;  Hippocampus;  Neurons;  Cell proliferation