Renoprotective effects of propofol on the expression of iNOS protein in rats with ischemia reperfusion injury.

Aims: This study aims to explore the pathogenesis of myocardial ischemia-reperfusion injury and the treatment method.

Methods: Myocardial Ischemia-reperfusion rat model was established in this study. They were divided into three groups: sham operation (SO) group, IRI control (C) group and IRI with propofol (A) group (n = 9). Myocardial infarct size was compared with HE staining method. TUNEL assay was used to detect cell apoptosis. Changes in the expression of iNOS were detected using real-time PCR and Western blotting methods.

Results: Myocardial infarct size of control group and propofol group was 53.03 ± 8.90% and 34.73 ± 7.20% respectively, there were significant differences between them (P < 0.01). Apoptotic index of two groups was 0.21 ± 0.02 and 0.31 ± 0.05, with statistical significance (P < 0.05). The expression levels of iNOS in propofol group reduced significantly (P < 0.05).

Conclusion: The levels of iNOS increase in IRI rats, suggesting that the severity of myocardial failure may be correlated with iNOS; propofol can specifically inhibit iNOS and thus protect the myocardial function.