Time course and attenuation of ischaemia-reperfusion induced oxidative injury by propofol in human renal transplantation

Ischaemia-reperfusion injury resulting from interruption and restoration of blood flow might be related to free radical mediated oxidative stress and inflammation, and subsequently to post-surgery related complications. We studied the impact of renal transplantation on oxidative stress and inflammation by measuring F-2-isoprostanes and prostaglandin F-2 alpha, respectively, during transplantation and post-surgery. Additionally, due to earlier observations, two dissimilar anaesthetic agents ( thiopentone and propofol) were compared to determine their antioxidative capacity rather than their anaesthetic properties. Blood samples were collected before, post-intubation, immediately, 30, 60,120, 240 min, and 12 and 24 h after reperfusion. Oxidative stress and inflammatory response were detected by measuring 8-iso-PGF(2a) ( a major F-2-isoprostane and a biomarker of oxidative stress) and 15-keto-dihydro-PGF(2 alpha) ( a major metabolite of PGF(2a) and a biomarker of COX-mediated inflammatory response), respectively. Reperfusion of the transplanted graft significantly increased plasma levels of 8-iso-PGF(2 alpha). PGF(2 alpha) metabolite levels, although elevated, did not reach statistical significance. In addition, significantly lower levels of 8-iso-PGF(2a) were observed in the propofol group compared to the thiopentone group. Together, these findings underline an augmented oxidative stress activity following an inflammatory response after human renal transplantation. Furthermore, propofol a well-known anaesthetic, counteracted oxidative stress by lowering the formation of a major F-2-isoprostane.