Halothane induces oxidative stress and NF-κB activation in rat liver: Protective effect of propofol

We investigated the effects of propofol on markers of oxidative stress, nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB) activation and inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) expression in liver of rats treated with halothane under hypoxic conditions. Male Wistar rats received halothane 1%/oxygen 14%, oxygen 14%/propofol 60 mg kg−1 i.p., or halothane 1%/oxygen 14%/propofol 60 mg kg−1 i.p. Morphological examination showed complete loss of architecture with massive necrosis of parenchyma in the halothane group, while only minor histological abnormalities were observed in rats receiving halothane plus propofol. The cytosolic concentration of TBARS and the hydroperoxide-initiated chemiluminescence increased significantly in the liver of animals from the halothane group (+62% and +40% versus controls, respectively), and this increase was abolished by propofol administration. Halothane induced a marked activation of NF-κB (+180%), and resulted in a significant decrease of the nonphosphorylated form of the inhibitor IκBα (−53%), while phosphorylated IκBα protein level was markedly increased (+146%). Propofol administration lowered these effects to +30% (NF-κB), −26% (nonphosphorylated IκBα), and +56% (phosphorylated IκBα). The increase of iNOS protein level (+59%) induced by halothane was significantly reduced to +22% by additional administration of propofol. Results obtained show that administration of propofol inhibits oxidative stress, NF-κB nuclear traslocation and iNOS overexpression in liver of rats receiving halothane. Propofol treatment, by inhibiting the NF-κB signal transduction pathway, might block the production of noxious mediators involved in the development of halothane-induced injury.