Objective To investigate the effect of propofol on hippocampal Bcl-2 protein expression after forebrain ischemia/ reperfusion (I/R) in rats. Methods forty-two male Wistar rats weighting 250 g^300 g were randomly divided into three groups of fourteen animals: control group (C)in which sham operation was performed; I/R group (I) in which bilateral common carotid arteries were clamped for 10 mins combined with hypotension(MAP:35 mm Hg～45 mm Hg)induced by exsanguinations, then 1 ml/kg saline was injected into the lateral cerebral ventricle using microsyringe; propofol group (P)in which 1 mg/kg propofol was injected into the lateral cerebral ventricle using microsyringe after I/R. The end of 24 h reperfusion the animals were decapitated, then coronal tissue sections and hippocampal tissue were obtained for detection of Bcl-2 protein expression by immuno-histochemistry technique(n = 8)and bcl-2 mRNA expression by RT-PCR technique(n = 6). Results The expression of Bcl-2 protein in group P increased significantly compared with that in group C and I (P < 0.05). The bcl-2 mRNA expression in group P was enhanced compared with that in group C and I (P < 0.05). Conclusion Propofol can enhance the Bcl-2 protein expression and increase the bcl-2 mRNA expression after forebrain ischemia-reperfusion in rats.
