Objective To study the effect of
intracarotid or intravenous injection of propofol on the concentrations of amino acids at
different brain areas in rats undergoing
cardiopulmonary bypass. Methods Fifty rats were randomly assigned to five groups. Shame group (group SC n =10); group cardiopulmonary bypass (group CPB n=10); group intravenous injection of propofol 2 mg/(kg·h) (group P2v, n =10); group intravenous injection of propofol 10 mg/(kg·h) (group P10v, n =10); group
intracarotid injection of propofol 2 mg/(kg·h) (group P2A, n =10). Mean arterial pressure ( MAP) and heart rate(HR) were monitored. Changes of the pathology were observed, and concertrations of amino acids were measured. Results The pathology injury of brain was attenuated in group P2A and P10v, but the pathology injury was not attenuated in group P2V. The concentrations of Glutamic acid, Asparagic acid, Glycocol, γ-Aminobutyric acid and Taurine increased undergoing CPB. The concentrations of the Glutamic acid, Asparagic acid and Glycocol dercreased after CPB in group P2A and P10v. γ-Aminobutyric acid increased in group P2A and P10v. But the effect in group P2V was not significant compared with group CPB. Compared with baseline values, MAP and HR in P2V and P2A was not significantly different compared with group CPB. Compared with baseline values, MAP and HR in P2V and P2A group remained unchanged. But the MAP and HR in P10v group decreased compared with group CPB and baseline (values). Conclusions Intracarotid injection of propofol attenuated the injury of brain at a fraction of the intravenous dose and with less adverse systemic and cerebrovascular side effects.