Abstract: AIM: To investigate the effects of propofol on the ATP content, ATPase activity, lipid peroxidation and ultrastructure in hippocampus mitochondrial in rats following global ischemia-reperfusion.METHODS: Global ischemia-reperfusion was induced by the use of 4-vessel occlusion method in a rat model.30 male Wistar rats were randomly divided into three groups:sham operation group (n=10), ischemia-reperfusion control group(n=10), and propofol treated group, 100 mg·kg^-1 propofol before ischemia (n=10).After global ischemia 10 min and reperfusion 60 min, rats were decapitated and the brains removed.The contents of ATP and MDA, activities of Na⁺-K⁺-ATPase, Ca²⁺-ATPase, SOD and GSH in hippocampus mitochondrial were measured, and mitochondrial structure was observed by electron microscope.RESULTS: The content of ATP, activities of Na⁺-K⁺-ATPase, Ca²⁺-ATPase, SOD and GSH decreased significantly, and the content of MDA increased obviously in the hippocampal mitochondrial after ischemia-reperfusion. Propofol significantly improved the decrement levels of ATP, Na⁺-K⁺-ATPase, Ca²⁺-ATPase, SOD and GSH, and inhibited the content of MDA increased in hippocampal mitochondrial.Electron microscopic examination also showed that mitochondrial damage was milder in propofol treated group than that in ischemia-reperfusion control group. CONCLUSION: Neuroprotective effects of propofol may be related to the inhibited mitochondrial lipid peroxidation, the integrality protected in mitochondrial structure, and the improved mitochondrial energy metabolism and ATPase activity after global ischemia-reperfusion.

Key words: propofol, brain ischemia-reperfusion injury, ATP, ATPase, oxygen free radicals