OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of propofol on myocardial ischemia-reperfusion injury (MIRI) and its mechanism by establishing in vivo rat models. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Sprague-Dawley rats were selected for the construction of MIRI models in vivo. All rats were divided into three groups, including sham operation group (Sham operation), MIRI group and MIRI + propofol group. At 2 h after reperfusion, myocardial tissues and blood samples were collected from rats. The expression levels of serum lactic dehydrogenase (LDH) and creatine kinase-MB (CK-MB), as well as serum interleukin-6 (IL-6), IL-10 and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), were measured in each group of rats, respectively. Terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated deoxyuridine triphosphate-biotin nick end labeling (TUNEL) assay was employed to detect the apoptosis of myocardial cells. Additionally, the messenger ribonucleic acid (mRNA) and protein expressions of Ras homolog gene family, member A (RhoA) and Rho-associated coiled-coil-containing protein kinase 2 (Rock2) were determined via quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) and Western blotting, respectively. RESULTS: (1) The expression levels of serum LDH and CK-MB were significantly lower in MIRI + propofol group than those in MIRI group (p<0.05). (2) In comparison with MIRI group, MIRI + propofol group exhibited significantly reduced serum IL-6 and TNF-α levels (p<0.01) and elevated serum IL-10 level (p<0.01). (3) Compared with MIRI group, the apoptosis of myocardial cells was remarkably reduced in MIRI + propofol group after IRI (p<0.05). (4) The mRNA and protein expressions of RhoA and Rock2 were significantly lower in MIRI + propofol group than those in MIRI group (p<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Propofol relieves MIRI and inflammation, reduces the level of oxidative stress and represses I/R-induced myocardial cell apoptosis in MIRI rats by inhibiting the activity of the Rho/Rock signaling pathway.