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.
Zhang
Shi-hai
SH
Department of Anesthesiology, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430022, China. zhangshh@public.wh.hb.cn
Wang
Shou-yong
SY
Yao
Shang-long
SL
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