The antioxidative effect of propofol on angiotesin II-induced apoptosis in neonatal rat cardiomyocytes

Abstract

Propofol (2,6-diisopropylphenol), an intravenous sedative Vhypnotic agent popular for sedation, has been found to be effective in protecting against pathological states characterized by an increase in basal rate of reactive oxygen species (ROS) production in hearts, but the cardioprotective mechanism is not well established. Angiotensin-II (Ang-II), an important neurohormonal factor during heart failure, can induce cardiomyocyte apoptosis which has an important role in the transition from compensatory cardiac remodeling to heart failure. In the present study, we evaluated the effects of propofol on Ang-II-mediated cardiomyocyte apoptosis. Cultured cardiomyocytes from neonatal rats were stimulated with Ang-II. Apoptosis was evaluated by measuring caspase 3 activity and by TdT-mediated dUTP nick-end labeling (TUNEL) method. It was found that incubation with Ang-II (0.1 micromolar) for 48 h increased cardiomyocyte apoptosis. Administration of propofol ...