AIM

To explore whether propofol could in vivo, suppress intestinal permeability and proinflammatory cytokines in the intestine after traumatic brain injury (TBI).

METHODS

The rats were randomly divided into four groups including control group with right parietal bone window alone and no brain injury, TBI group, TBI+propofol (5mg/kg/h), and propofol alone group. All animals were killed 72h later. Plasma endotoxin was assayed by the chromogenic limulus amebocyte lysate test. Intestinal permeability was quantified using the lactulose/mannitol (L/M) test. TNF-alpha and IL-6 in the intestine were measured using commercially available enzyme-linked immunoassay Kits. Nuclear factor kappa B (NF-kappaB) was analyzed by Electrophoretic mobility shift assay (EMSA).

RESULTS

No rats died before sacrifice. Plasma endotoxin, L/M ratio, intestinal level of NF-kappaB, TNF-alpha, and IL-6 remained at baseline level in controlled animals. TBI promoted a significant increment in plasma endotoxin, L/M ratio, intestinal level of NF-kappaB, TNF-alpha, and IL-6. Propofol inhibited those parameters at the dose of 5mg/kg/h.

CONCLUSION

Propofol has the protective effect on the intestine following traumatic brain injury in rats.