Objective To investigate the protective effects of different concentrations of
propofol on the
lungs apainst acute
injury induced by lipopolysaccharide (us) in rats.Methods Twenty-four male Wistar rats
weighing 150-250g were randomly divided into 4 groups with 6 animals in each group : (1) control group
received only normal saline; (2) LPS group received LPS 5 mg·kg~(-1)i. v.; (3)
propofol group 1 received a bolus 5 mg·
kg~(-1) after LPS followed by propofol infusion at 5 mg·kg~(-1) ; (4) propofol group Ⅱ received a bolus of propofol 10
mg.kg~(-1) after LPS followed by propofol infusion 10 mg·kg~(-1). Blood samples were obtained from femoral
artery for determintiion of serum concentrations of TNF-α, IL-β and IL-10 at 1, 2, 3, 4 h after LPS injection. The
animals were then killed by exsanguination. The lungs were removed. Left lung was lavaged and the broncho-
alveolar lavage fluid (BALF) was collected for determination of its neutrophil count, and protein, TNF-α, IL-Iβ
and IL-10 levels. Right lung was used for measurement of wet / dry lung weight ratio. Results In LPS group the
wet/dry lung weight ratio, BALF neutrophil counts and protein contents and BALF and serum TNF-β, Ib-Iβ and
IL-10 levels were significantly increased compared with control group (P<0.01 ). Propofol treatment attenuated
the increase in wet/dry lung weight ratio, BALF neutrophil counts and protein content and BAIF and serum TNF-
α, IL-Iβ and IL-10 levels in a dose-dependent manner. Conclusion Propofol can attenuate LPS-induced acute
lung injury in a dose-dependent manner.