Effects of propofol anesthesia on neuronal regeneration and neurological function in rats with traumatic brain injury

Objective To observe the effect of propofol anesthesia on traumatic brain injury (TBI) in rats. Methods Rats were divided into sham operation group, model group, low dose propofol group [36 mg/(kg·h)] and high dose propofol group [72 mg/(kg·h)]. Propofol was administered intravenously from 30 min before to 1.5 h after surgery, and the mortality, neurological function and neuronal regeneration were determined. Results After 28 d, propofol in low dose group was significantly higher than the mortality of rats in the model group, the difference was statistically significant (χ2=7.648, P=0.024); high dose of propofol in rats was significantly higher than the mortality of the rats in the model group, the difference was statistically significant (χ2=9.152, P=0.018); 1-7 d after the operation, the average weight of the model group was (365.4±2.4) g, the average weight of propofol in low dose group rats was (347.2±2.5) g, the average weight of propofol in high dose group rats was (314.9±2.35) g, using propofol anesthetized rats weight to body weight were lower than the model group, high dose of propofol in rats after significant end point compared with model group (t=8.363, P=0.026); the rats in model group to hole time was significantly higher than sham operation group (t=6.783, P=0.047); the rats by Barnes maze test showed that the rats to enter the hole time of sham operation group (138.3±1.5) s, the model group (145.6±1.4) s, propofol in low dose group (144.2±1.6) s, high dose of propofol for (169.4±1.7) s, the rats in model group to hole time was significantly higher than sham operation group (t=6.783, P=0.047), no statistically significant difference between the low dose propofol group and model group (t=1.863, P=0.064), and high dose of propofol in rats was significantly longer than that of model group (t=9.483, P=0.014); at the same time, the use of propofol anesthesia of propofol in low dose group rat brain neurons of newborn were significantly lower than the model group (t=7.824, P=0.038 the use of propofol anesthesia with propofol), high dose group rat brain neurons of newborn were significantly lower than the model group (t=6.575, P=0.041). Conclusion High dose propofol anesthesia has a deteriorating effect on rats with TBI. Key words: Traumatic brain injury; Propofol; Neuron; Learning and memory; Balance