Propofol protects against blood-spinal cord barrier disruption induced by ischemia/reperfusion injury

Neural Regeneration Research, 2017 · DOI: 10.4103/1673-5374.199004 · Published: January 1, 2017

Spinal Cord Injury Anesthesiology Neurology

Simple Explanation

This research investigates whether propofol, a common anesthetic, can protect the spinal cord after an injury that cuts off blood flow and then restores it. This type of injury, called ischemia/reperfusion injury (IRI), can damage the blood-spinal cord barrier (BSCB). The study found that propofol can help maintain the integrity of the BSCB after such an injury. This is important because a damaged BSCB can lead to spinal cord edema, neuronal apoptosis, and death. The findings suggest propofol may help reduce the expression of certain substances that cause inflammation and breakdown of the BSCB, offering a potential therapeutic strategy for spinal cord injuries.

Study Duration

Not specified

Participants

36 healthy male Japanese white rabbits

Evidence Level

Level 2; Animal Study

Key Findings

1
Propofol decreased histological damage to the spinal cord, indicating a protective effect on the tissue structure after ischemia/reperfusion injury.
2
Propofol attenuated the reduction in BSCB permeability, suggesting it helps maintain the barrier's integrity and prevent harmful substances from entering the spinal cord.
3
Propofol downregulated the mRNA and protein expression levels of matrix metalloprotease-9 (MMP-9) and nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB), indicating it reduces inflammation and tissue breakdown.

Research Summary

This study investigates the neuroprotective effects of propofol on the blood-spinal cord barrier (BSCB) after ischemia/reperfusion injury (IRI) in rabbits. Spinal cord IRI was induced by infrarenal aortic occlusion, and propofol was administered before aortic clamping and at the onset of reperfusion. The results showed that propofol decreased histological damage to the spinal cord, attenuated the reduction in BSCB permeability, downregulated the expression of MMP-9 and NF-κB, and upregulated the expression of occludin and claudin-5. These findings suggest that propofol helps maintain BSCB integrity after SCIRI by reducing MMP-9 expression, inhibiting the NF-κB signaling pathway, and maintaining expression of tight junction proteins.

Practical Implications

Therapeutic Potential

Propofol may be a therapeutic agent to protect the BSCB following spinal cord ischemia/reperfusion injury.

Drug Combinations

Propofol combined with other therapies like stem cell transplantation may enhance recovery from spinal cord injuries.

Further Research

Additional studies are needed to explore the cellular and molecular mechanisms of propofol's protective effects.

Study Limitations

1
BSCB integrity was assessed at only one time point (48 hours after reperfusion).
2
The study used a rabbit model, and other animal models are needed to confirm the findings.
3
The high dose of propofol used might impair the respiratory and circulatory systems.

Your Feedback

Was this summary helpful?

Back to Spinal Cord Injury