The Effect of Propofol on Dopaminergic Neuronal Loss in an MPTP-Induced Murine Model of Parkinson's Disease

Abstract

Microglia is the primary immune effector cell in the central nervous system. It is suggested that the increased cyclooxygenase (COX) activity in microglia is implicated in the pathogenesis of a number of neurodegenerative diseases, such as Parkinson's disease (PD). In this study, we demonstrated that propofol suppressed the lipopolysaccharide-induced prostanoid production by microglia due to the suppression of COX enzyme activity. We also demonstrated that, in the MPTP (1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine)-induced murine model of PD, propofol effectively suppressed the dopaminergic neuronal damage in the substantia nigra pars compacta. These results indicate that propofol might be an intravenous anesthetic of choice when patients with PD require sedation and/or general anesthesia.