Clinically relevant concentration of propofol and benzodiazepines did not affect in vitro angiogenesis.

Purpose: Angiogenesis, one of regenerative medicine, is essential in the process of wound healing. The detailed effects of intravenous anesthetics and sedatives used during perioperative period have not yet been clarified. We investigated the effects of benzodiazepines and propofol on in vitro capillary tube formation.

Methods: The effects of midazolam, diazepam and propofol (1, 10, 50 µM each) on proliferation of human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC) and normal human diploid fibroblasts (NHDF) were determined. Quantitation of migration was achieved by measuring the fluorescence of migrating HUVEC using angiogenesis system. The effects of midazolam, diazepam and propofol on in vitro angiogenesis were investigated in co-cultured HUVEC and NHDF incubated. The effects of midazolam on activation of p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) and extracellular signal-regulated kinases were examined by Western blot analysis using phospho-specific antibodies. Parametric data were analyzed with one-way repeated measures analysis of variance followed by the Scheffé test. A value of P < 0.05 was considered statistically significant.

Results: Fifty µM of midazolam significantly impaired endothelial cell proliferation, migration, and in vitro capillary tube formation. Propofol, diazepam or lower dose midazolam did not show any enhancing or suppressive effects on in vitro angiogenesis. Fifty µM of midazolam remarkably activated ERK, but not p38 MAPK in HUVEC.

Conclusion: Propofol and benzodiazepines except high-dose midazolam did not affect in vitro angiogenesis. High-dose midazolam may impair in vitro capillary tube formation due to by suppressing proliferation and migration of endothelial cells via activation of ERK.