Effects of propofol on beta-adrenoceptor-mediated signal transduction in cardiac muscle; role of cAMP.
BACKGROUND
Propofol may decrease myocardial contractility via actions on the beta-adrenoceptor-mediated signal transduction. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of propofol via beta-adrenoceptor-mediated signal transduction by measuring the tissue levels of cAMP (cyclic adenosine monophosphate).


METHODS
The effects of propofol on beta-adrenoceptor mediated cascades were measured with cAMP concentrations, which were stimulated by agonists (l-isoproterenol, GTPgammaS, and forskolin) of each step of beta-adrenoceptor-mediated cascades.


RESULTS
While the production of cAMP stimulated by isoproterenol, GTPgammaS, or forskolin are increased (P < 0.05), application of each concentration of propofol (0.1, 1, 10, 100 microM) did not alter the levels of cAMP.


CONCLUSIONS
Considering that propofol did not alter the tissue cAMP levels when stimulated by isoproterenol, GTPgammaS, and forskolin, propofol appears to have no effect on the beta-adrenoceptor signaling pathway in guinea pig ventricular myocardium.
Department of Anesthesiology and Pain Medicine, and Anesthesia and Pain Research Institute, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.
Chul Ho
CH
Chang
Go Un
GU
Roh
Wyun Kon
WK
Park