Effect of propofol on mucous permeability and inflammatory mediators expression in the intestine following traumatic brain injury in rats

Aim: To explore whether propofol could in vivo, suppress intestinal permeability and proinflammatory cytokines in the intestine after traumatic brain injury (TBI). Methods: The rats were randomly divided into four groups including control group with right parietal bone window alone and no brain injury, TBI group, TBI + propofol (5 mg/kg/h), and propofol alone group. All animals were killed 72 h later. Plasma endotoxin was assayed by the chromogenic limulus amebocyte lysate test. Intestinal permeability was quantified using the lactulose/mannitol (L/M) test. TNF-α and IL-6 in the intestine were measured using commercially available enzyme-linked immunoassay Kits. Nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB) was analyzed by Electrophoretic mobility shift assay (EMSA). Results: No rats died before sacrifice. Plasma endotoxin, L/M ratio, intestinal level of NF-κB, TNF-α, and IL-6 remained at baseline level in controlled animals. TBI promoted a significant increment in plasma endotoxin, L/M ratio, intestinal level of NF-κB, TNF-α, and IL-6. Propofol inhibited those parameters at the dose of 5 mg/kg/h. Conclusion: Propofol has the protective effect on the intestine following traumatic brain injury in rats.