Avicenna Journal of Pharmaceutical Research

Background: The present study was performed to investigate the protective effects of propofol against cisplatin-induced pulmonary toxicity in rats.

Methods: A total of 20 male Wistar rats weighing 180-250 g were divided into four groups of control, the cisplatin-intoxicated group intraperitoneally (IP) injected with cisplatin (7 mg/kg/d for a week), the propofol group (10 mg/kg/d, IP), and the protected group receiving propofol (10 mg/kg/d, IP) poisoned by cisplatin. Then, the biomarkers of total antioxidant capacity (TAC), catalase (CAT) activity, and lipid peroxidation (LPO) were measured in homogeneous lung tissues.

Results: The data revealed the evidence of oxidative stress in the lung tissue of cisplatin-intoxicated rats as indicated by an increase in the level of LPO compared with propofol and protected groups (P<0.05). Moreover, TAC decreased in the cisplatin group while it increased in the propofol group compared to cisplatin and protected groups (P<0.05). No significant difference was observed between the groups regarding CAT (P>0.05). Protection with propofol ameliorated the oxidative stress induced by cisplatin in the lung tissue because of the reduction of LPO.

Conclusion: According to these results, it seems that propofol provides a remarkable protection against cisplatin-induced oxidative pulmonary damage mediated by its antioxidant properties.