title: Repeated administration of propofol upregulated the expression of c-Fos and cleaved-caspase-3 proteins in the developing mouse brain.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  This study was designed to analyze the relationship between the expression of c-Fos protein and apoptosis in the hippocampus following propofol administration in infant mice. There are reports that certain drugs, including the general anesthetics applied in pediatrics and obstetrics, could block N-methyl-D-aspartate glutamate receptors and activate γ-aminobutyric acid type A receptors. Furthermore, some anesthetics could trigger neuroapoptosis and the expression of c-Fos in the developing rodent brain. Propofol is a general anesthetic increasingly used in pediatrics and obstetrics, and is reported to be able to interact with both γ-aminobutyric acid type A and N-methyl-D-aspartate glutamate receptors. No adequate evaluations have been available as to whether the dosage of propofol to maintain anaesthesia could trigger the expression of c-Fos and apoptosis.
  
  
  METHODS
  Intraperitoneal injections of propofol (50, 100 and 150 mg/kg) or vehicle were administered every 90 minutes (4 times) in infant mice (5-7 days old). 30 minutes after the final administration, the protein expressions of c-Fos and cleaved-caspase-3 in the hippocampus were determined by immunohistochemistry and Western blotting.
  
  
  RESULTS
  It was demonstrated that the expressions of cleaved-caspase-3 and c-Fos were upregulated in the hippocampal CA3 region in this study.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The upregulated c-Fos expression induced by repeated injections of propofol might evoke neuroapoptosis.
authors.affiliation: School of Pharmacy, Xuzhou Medical College, Xuzhou, Jiangsu, 221002, China.
authors.forename: Yin
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Cui
authors.forename: Gou
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Ling-Shan
authors.forename: Liu
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Yi
authors.forename: Wang
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Xing-Qi
authors.forename: Zhuang
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Xue-Mei
authors.forename: Yin
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Xiao-Xing