Effects of propofol on isolated human pial arteries.
BACKGROUND
The intravenous anaesthetic propofol has been reported to increase cerebral vascular resistance in vivo. The underlying mechanisms are not fully understood, but may include effects on metabolism and direct effects on the vascular smooth muscle. The present study was designed to evaluate the direct effects of propofol on human pial arteries.


METHODS
We investigated the direct effect of propofol (10(-6)-10(-4) M) on isolated human pial arteries at basal tension as well as the influence on contractions induced by 5-hydroxytryptamine, prostaglandin F2alpha, noradrenaline and potassium chloride.


RESULTS
Propofol did not change the basal tension. Propofol at 10(-6) and 10(-5) M did not affect the concentration-response curves of any of the contractile agents tested. Propofol at the supraclinical concentration 10(-4) M reduced the contractions induced by all contractile agents.


CONCLUSIONS
Propofol reduces the tone of human pial arteries in vitro at supraclinical concentrations, but has no effect on the tone at clinically relevant concentrations.
Wallerstedt
S M
SM
Department of Anaesthesia and Intensive Care, University Hospital, Lund, Sweden.
Reinstrup
P
P
Uski
T
T
Bodelsson
M
M
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D018686:Anesthetics, Intravenous / Q000494:pharmacology*; D001158:Arteries / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D002648:Child; D015237:Dinoprost / Q000494:pharmacology; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009119:Muscle Contraction / Q000187:drug effects; D009131:Muscle, Smooth, Vascular / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D009638:Norepinephrine / Q000494:pharmacology; D010841:Pia Mater / Q000098:blood supply*; D011189:Potassium Chloride / Q000494:pharmacology; D015742:Propofol / Q000494:pharmacology*; D012701:Serotonin / Q000494:pharmacology; D014661:Vasoconstriction
D018686:Anesthetics, Intravenous; D012701:Serotonin; D011189:Potassium Chloride; D015237:Dinoprost; D009638:Norepinephrine; D015742:Propofol