| ObjectiveTo investigate the effects of propofol on the intracellular free calcium ([Ca2+]i )and calmodulin (CaM) activity levels of nerve cells in hippocampus of rats.MethodsForty rats were divided randomly into five groups. The animals were injected intraperitoneally (IP) propofol 100mg/kg or normal saline 10ml/kg (control group) respectively. The rats were immediately decapitated before (induction group) or after righting reflex disappearance (anesthesia group) , when righting reflex appeared again (recovery group), or one hour after (awaken group). Average of fluorescent intensity of the [Ca2+]i and CaM in hippocampus was assayed with flow cytometry.ResultsCompared with control group(1. 80±0.08), an increase of the cytosolic free calcium concentration was seen in induction group (2.02±0.09) (P<0.01).The CaM activity of induction group (2.39±0.28) increased significantly compared with control group (1.95±0.12) and recovery group (1.92±0.19) (P<0.05). ConclusionThe anesthesia action of propofol may involve [Ca2+]i and CaM activity in hippocampus cells. CaM, known as one of important signal molecules, play probably an important role in the molecular mechanisms of anesthesiaaction of propofol. |
