Acta Pharmacologica Sinica 2007 August; 28 (8): 1175-1180; doi: 10.1111/j.1745-7254.2007.00566.x

Aim: To examine the protective effect of propofol in renal ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury and the role of heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) in this process.

Methods: Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into 3 groups: (i) sham-operated group; (ii) I/R group; and (iii) propofol group. Bilateral renal warm ischemia for 45 min was performed. After 2, 6, and 24 h reperfusion, blood samples and kidneys were collected for assessment of renal injury, and HO-1 expressions were analyzed by immunohistochemical analysis, RT-PCR and Western blotting.

Results: Blood urea nitrogen and serum creatinine levels in the propofol group were significantly lower than that in the I/R group at 24 h after reperfusion. The mean histological score by Paller's standard showed that propofol significantly attenuated renal I/R injury after 6 h reperfusion. Propofol increased HO-1 mRNA and protein levels 2 h after reperfusion, whereas HO-1 expressions were present at exceedingly low levels in the I/R group and the sham-operated group at same time point. Propofol also markedly increased HO-1 mRNA and protein levels than I/R at 6 and 24 h after reperfusion.

Conclusion: These results suggest that propofol mitigates renal I/R injury in rats. This protection may be partly through the induction of the HO-1 expression.

Keywords: propofol; reperfusion injury; heme oxygenase-1; kidneys