Ischemia-Reperfusion Injury in Skeletal Muscle: Comparison of the Effects of Subanesthetic Doses of Ketamine, Propofol, and Etomidate

Background

Interest in the effects of anesthetics in skeletal ischemia-reperfusion injury (IRI) has recently emerged. Thus, the objective was to compare the effects of subanesthetic doses of ketamine, propofol, and etomidate in a skeletal IRI model.

Methods

IRI was applied to rats by tourniquet method. Under thiopental anesthesia, five experimental groups were established as follows: (1) sham-control, (2) IRI, (3) IRI+Ketamine, (4) IRI+Propofol, and (5) IRI+Etomidate. Malondialdehyde, superoxide dismutase, catalase, and glutathione peroxidase were measured in skeletal muscle via a spectrophotometer. Zinc, iron, copper, and selenium were evaluated by atomic absorption spectrophotometer.

Results

While the values of malondialdehyde and glutathione peroxidase were higher and lower, respectively, those of superoxide dismutase and catalase were identical in IRI group in comparison with sham-control. Zinc displayed a decrease in IRI group; however, no differences in iron and copper levels were determined. In rats treated with subanesthetic doses of ketamine, elevated malondialdehyde levels in IRI group were reversed to control levels by each dose. While each dose of ketamine decreased superoxide dismutase activities in comparison with IRI group, a reduction in catalase activity was only seen in 3mg/kg ketamine-treated rats. The attenuated glutathione peroxidase activity seen in IRI was greatly reversed by ketamine administration in all doses. No differences in zinc, copper, and iron levels were detected between IRI and ketamine-treated groups. Similar results were obtained either by the administration of propofol or etomidate.

Conclusions

Subanesthetic doses of ketamine, propofol and etomidate displayed beneficial effects in IRI.

Key Words: ischemia-reperfusion injury, skeletal muscle, ketamine, propofol, etomidate