Effect of propofol on IL-1β and TNF-α release from BV-2 microglia cells induced by lipopolysaccharide and the role of Toll-like receptor 4

Objective To investigate the effect of propofol on IL-1β and TNF-α release from BV-2 microglia cells induced by lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and the role of Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4).Methods BV-2 microglia cells were seeded in 96-well plates and randomly divided into 4 groups ( n =12 each):control group,LPS group,propofol group (group P) and LPS + propofol group.In group LPS,the cells were incubated with LPS 1 μg/ml for 24 h.In group P,the cells were incubated with propofol 30 μmol/L for 24 h.In group LPS + propofol,the cells were incubated with LPS 1 μg/ml and propofol 30 μmol/L for 24 h.The concentrations of TNF-α ( at 6 h of incubation) and IL-1β (at 24 h of incubation) in the supernatant were detected by ELISA.TLR4 mRNA expression was detectedat at 6 h of incubation by RT-PCR.TLR4 protein expression was detected at 24 h of incubation by Western blot.Results Compared with control group,IL-1β and TNF-α release was significantly increased,and the expression of TLR4 mRNA and protein up-regulated in groups LPS and LPS + propofol ( P ＜ 0.05).Compared with group LPS,IL-1β and TNF-α release was significantly decreased,and the expression of TLR4 mRNA and protein down-regulated in group LPS + propofol (P ＜ 0.05 ).Conclusion Propofol can inhibit IL-1β and TNF-α release from BV-2 microglia cells induced by LPS and inhibition of TLR4 expression may be involved in the mechanism. Key words: Propofol; Lipopolysaccharides; Interleukin- 1 beta; Tumor necrosis factor-alpha; Microglia; Toll-Like receptor 4