Effects of propofol on cerebral histamine concentration in global cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injury in gerbils

AIM To investigate the effects of propofol on cerebral histamine concentration in global cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injury in gerbils. METHODS Twenty-seven male gerbils weighting 55-70 g were randomized into 3 groups (n=9):sham-operated group (group S),ischemia-reperfusion group (group M),and propofol treated group ( group P). Cerebral ischemia reperfusion injury model was produced by 10 min occlusion of bilateral common carotid arteries followed by 2 h reperfusion in gerbils in group M and group P. Propofol was infused with the rate of 10 mg·kg-1·h-1 via lingual vein at the instant after reperfusion in group P. All the animals were killed at 2 h after reperfusion to determine the injury of cerebral cortex by light microscope. The ultrastructure of cerebral cortex was observed by electron microscope. Cerebral water content and cerebral histamine concentration were also measured. RESULTS The structure of cerebral neuron under the light microscope was normal in group S,was apomorphosis and necrosis in group M and was nearly normal in group P. The injury score was markedly higher in group M compared with group S,and the injury score was markedly lower in group P compared with group M ( P0.05). The cerebral water content and cerebral histamine concentration were significantly higher in group M compared with group S,and were significantly lower in group P compared with group M ( P0.01). The ultrastructure of cerebral neuron appeared pyknosis and mitochondrion swelling in group M,while mitochondrion swelling of cerebral neuron in group P was mild. CONCLUSION Propofol has the protective effects against global cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injury in gerbils,which might be related to the down-regulation of histamine.