Comparative antineuroapoptotic effects of dexmedetomidine and propofol in cranial injury: An animal study

Abstract

Objective: Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is a common consequence of accidents, and apoptosis is now recognized as one of its important pathophysiological factors. The primary hypothesis of this study was to show the early antineuroapoptotic effects of propofol and dexmedetomidine by showing the small number of apoptotic cells after mild TBI. Material and Methods: Forty five rats, anesthetized with intraperitoneal 50mg/kg ketamine hydrocloride and 5mg/kg xylazine, were randomly assigned into 5 groups. Groups 1 (trauma) and 2 (no trauma) were applied propofol while Groups 3 (trauma) and 4 (no trauma) were applied dexmedetomidine. No additional anesthetics were applied to Group 5 (trauma). The mean arterial pressure (MAP), rectal temperature and blood glucose levels were monitored for 2 hours. Then, the brains of the rats were removed after sacrification and craniectomy, and the apoptotic cell analysis was done in midsagital, parasagittal and hippocampal regions. Results: The median values for mean body weight, MAP, and temperature were similar(p>0.05), but glucose levels were significantly higher in Group 5 in the first 45 min (p<0.05). Among the trauma groups, the apoptotic cell number was significantly higher in Group 5 in all regions (p<0.05). In contrary, there was no significant difference in the number of apoptotic cells in any of the region in groups without trauma (Groups 2 and 4) (p>0.05). Conclusion: The number of apoptotic cells in rat brains with mild TBI, in which propofol and dexmedetomidine applied, was smaller. However, these two agents had no superiority to each other in terms of antineuroapoptotic effect. These agents were thought to be protective against the early phase brain damage.