Propofol Suppresses LPS-Induced Inflammation in Amnion Cells via Inhibition of NF-κB Activation.

Background: Preterm labor is a leading risk factor for neonatal death and long-term impairment and linked closely with inflammation. Non-obstetric surgery is occasionally needed during pregnancy and the anesthetic drugs or surgery itself can give rise to inflammation. Here, we examined the influence of propofol pretreatment on the expression of cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) and prostaglandin E (PGE) after lipopolysaccharide (LPS) stimulation. In addition, we evaluated the expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines and nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB).

Methods: Human amnion-derived WISH cells were used to investigate the effect of propofol on the LPS-induced expression of inflammatory substances involved in preterm labor. For the experiment, WISH cells were pretreated with various concentrations propofol (0.01-10 μg/ml) for 1 h and then treated with LPS (1 μg/ml) for 24 h. Cytotoxicity was evaluated using MTT assay. PGE concentration was assessed by ELISA. Protein expressions of COX-2, PGE and NF-κB were analyzed by western blotting analysis. RT-PCR was used for analysis of mRNA expression of COX-2, PGE, interlukin (IL)-1β and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α.

Results: Propofol showed no cytotoxicity on the WISH cells. LPS-induced PGE production and COX-2 and PGE expression were decreased after propofol pretreatment. Propofol also attenuated the LPS-induced mRNA expression of IL-1β and TNF-α. Moreover, the activation of NF-κB was inhibited by propofol pretreatment on LPS-stimulated WISH cells.

Conclusion: We demonstrated that propofol suppresses the expression of inflammatory substances enhanced by LPS stimulation. Furthermore, this inhibitory effect of propofol on the inflammatory substance expression is mediated by suppression of NF-κB activation.