In vivo effects of different anesthetic agents on apoptosis.

Background: This study was designed to measure in vivo effects of propofol, isoflurane and sevoflurane on apoptosis by measuring caspase-3 and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-related apoptosis inducing ligand (TRAIL) blood level as apoptotic markers.

Methods: After obtaining ethical committee approval and informed written consents, sixty adult patients ASA I scheduled for open cholecystectomy participated in this study. They were randomally allocated into one of three equal groups to receive propofol infusion, low-flow isoflurane or sevoflurane for maintenance of anesthesia.