To evaluate the protective effect of propofol on liver in severely scalded rabbits.

Twenty healthy male New Zealand rabbits, aged 3-4 months, weighing 2.3-2.5 kg, were randomly divided into either scald group(group S, n=10)or propofol group(group P, n=10). Thirty percent of the total body surface was shaved chemically with 10% sodium sulphate and then exposed to 98 ℃ water for 20 s to produce third degree thermal injury at the back and buttocks of anesthetized rats.In group P, propofol was injected at a dose of 1.5 mg/kg at 1 h after scald, followed by an infusion of 4 mg·kg^-1·h^-1 for 4 h. The equal volume of normal saline was given in group S. Before scald(T₁), at 1 h after scald(T₂), and at 6, 12 and 24 h after administration of propofol or normal saline(T_3-5), blood samples were taken from the internal jugular vein for determination of serum alanine aminotransferase(ALT)activity(by lactate dehydrogenase method), aspartate aminotransferase(AST)activity(by MDH), and tumor necrosis factor-alpha(TNF-α)concentrations(by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay). The rabbits were sacrificed at T₅, and their livers were removed and cut into sections which were stained with haematoxylin and eosin and examined under microscope.

The serum ALT and AST activities and TNF-α concentrations were significantly higher at T_2-5 than at T₁.Compared with the values at T₂, the serum ALT and AST activities and TNF-α concentrations in group S and serum TNF-α concentrations in group P were significantly increased at T_3-5, and no significant change was found in the serum ALT and AST activities at T_3-5 in group P. Compared with group S, the serum ALT and AST activities and TNF-α concentrations were significantly decreased at T_3-5, and the pathological changes were mitigated in group P.

Propofol provides protective effect on liver in severely scalded rabbits.

Propofol; Burns; Liver