The influence of propofol on the expression of intercellular adhesion molecule 1 (ICAM-1) and vascular cell adhesion molecule 1 (VCAM-1) in reoxygenated human umbilical vein endothelial cells.
BACKGROUND
Leucocytes are a pivotal component of the inflammatory cascade that results in tissue injury in a large group of disorders. Free radical production and endothelial activation promote leucocyte-endothelium interactions via endothelial expression of vascular cell adhesion molecule 1 (VCAM-1) and intercellular adhesion molecule 1 (ICAM-1) which augment these processes, particularly in the setting of reperfusion injury. Propofol has antioxidant properties which may attenuate the increased expression of these molecules that is observed.


METHODS
Cultured human umbilical vein endothelial cells were exposed to 20 h of hypoxia, then returned to normoxic conditions. Cells were treated with saline, Diprivan 5 microg mL(-1) or propofol 5 microg mL(-1), for 4 h after reoxygenation and were examined for ICAM-1 and VCAM-1 expression.


RESULTS
Hypoxia did not increase the expression of ICAM-1/VCAM-1. ICAM-1 expression peaked 12 h after reoxygenation (21.75(0.6) vs. 9.6(1.3), P = 0.02). Propofol, but not Diprivan, prevented this increase (8.2(2.9) vs. 21.75(0.6), P = 0.009). VCAM-1 expression peaked 24 h after reoxygenation (9.8(0.9) vs. 6.6(0.6), P = 0.03). Propofol and Diprivan prevented this increase, with no difference between the two treatments observed (4.3(0.3) and 6.4(0.5) vs. 9.8(0.9), P = 0.001, 0.02, respectively).


CONCLUSIONS
These effects are likely to be attributable to the antioxidant properties of propofol, and suggest that propofol may have a protective role in disorders where free radical mediated injury promotes leucocyte-endothelium adhesive interactions.
Corcoran
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TB
Cork University Hospital, Department of Anaesthesia, Cork City, Republic of IrelandUniversity College Cork, Department of Anaesthesia, Cork City, Republic of Ireland. mascor@gofree.indigo.ie
Engel
A
A
Shorten
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GD
D000704:Analysis of Variance; D018686:Anesthetics, Intravenous / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D015687:Cell Hypoxia / Q000502:physiology; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D042783:Endothelial Cells / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism; D004730:Endothelium, Vascular / Q000166:cytology; D006801:Humans; D018799:Intercellular Adhesion Molecule-1 / Q000378:metabolism*; D007962:Leukocytes / Q000276:immunology; D010100:Oxygen / Q000378:metabolism; D015742:Propofol / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D013997:Time Factors; D014471:Umbilical Veins; D019010:Vascular Cell Adhesion Molecule-1 / Q000378:metabolism*
D018686:Anesthetics, Intravenous; D019010:Vascular Cell Adhesion Molecule-1; D018799:Intercellular Adhesion Molecule-1; D010100:Oxygen; D015742:Propofol