Effect of Propofol on Human Neutrophil Apoptosis in vitro

Authors:

Kishikawa H*, Kawaguchi H, Tsuboko Y, Nakatani H, Ishikawa M and Sakamoto A

Volume 2, Issue 1

Abstract

Purpose: Propofol is clinically used for anesthesia and sedation. It remains unclear whether propofol induces human neutrophil apoptosis. We sought to determine the effect of propofol on neutrophil apoptosis in vitro. Methods: Peripheral neutrophils from healthy volunteers were treated with different concentrations of propofol (0, 5, and 50 μg/ml). Apoptosis and the mitochondrial trans membrane potential (MTP) were detected by fluorescence microscopy after Hoechst 33342 and JC-1 staining. Caspase activity was measured using luminescent substrates. Results: A high concentration (50 μg/ml) of propofol significantly increased apoptosis, reduced MTP, and enhanced caspase-9 and caspase-3/7 activities. The addition of an MTP stabilizer and caspase-9 and -3 inhibitors decreased propofol-induced apoptosis. Caspase-8 activity was not affected by 50 μg/ml of propofol and propofol-induced apoptosis was not suppressed by the caspase-8 inhibitor. A clinically relevant concentration (5 μg/ml) of propofol did not affect apoptosis rate, MTP and caspase activities.
Conclusion: Propofol at the clinical relevant concentrations had no effect on neutrophil apoptosis, although a high dose of propofol increased rate of apoptosis. The mechanism of propofol-induced apoptosis is involved with the mitochondrial pathway.

Keywords:

Propofol; Neutrophil Apoptosis; leukocytic cells

View PDF