Antioxidative effect of propofol during cardiopulmonary bypass in adults.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the antioxidative potential of propofol (an intravenous anesthetic with a chemical structure similar to phenol-based free radical scavengers such as vitamin E) during cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB).


METHODS
Thirty adult patients referred for elective cardiac procedure with CPB were included and randomly allocated to a propofol group or a control group. Patients in the propofol group received propofol (0.1 mg/kg/min) intravenously for anesthesia maintenance, whereas those allocated to the control group received fentanyl 10 microg/kg intravenously and inhaled enflurane (1 %-1.5 %). Blood samples were collected at 7 time points: before the start of CPB, at 30 and 60 min of CPB, at the conclusion of CPB, 10 min after the administration of protamine, and 12 and 24 h after the cessation of CPB. Plasma levels of free F2-isoprostanes (sensitive markers of free radicals production) and complement C5a were determined by mass-spectrometric assay and enzyme immunoassay, respectively. Neutrophil adhesion to endothelial cells was observed at 200 magnification under a light microscope.


RESULTS
Levels of F2-isoprostanes, complement C5a and neutrophil adhesion rate increased significantly during and after CPB in both groups. There were significantly higher levels of F2-isoprostanes, C5a, and more neutrophils adhering to endothelial cells in the control group than those in the propofol group, respectively.


CONCLUSIONS
Cardio-pulmonary bypass is associated with a great production of damaging free radicals. Propofol may be beneficial both as an anesthetic and as a potent free radical scavenger in patients presenting pathologies associated with free radical reactions during CPB.
Department of Anesthesiology, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430022, China. zhangshh@public.wh.hb.cn
Shi-hai
SH
Zhang
Shou-yong
SY
Wang
Shang-long
SL
Yao
D000328:Adult; D018686:Anesthetics, Intravenous; D002315:Cardiopulmonary Bypass; D002448:Cell Adhesion / Q000187:drug effects; D015936:Complement C5a / Q000378:metabolism; D028441:F2-Isoprostanes / Q000097:blood*; D005260:Female; D005283:Fentanyl; D016166:Free Radical Scavengers / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009504:Neutrophils / Q000502:physiology; D015742:Propofol / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology*
D018686:Anesthetics, Intravenous; D028441:F2-Isoprostanes; D016166:Free Radical Scavengers; D015936:Complement C5a; D005283:Fentanyl; D015742:Propofol