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Anesthesiology Division, Hospital of Special Surgery, Weill Medical College of Cornell University, New York
Address correspondence to Jacques T. Ya Deau, Hospital for Special Surgery, Anesthesiology Division, Weill Medical College of Cornell University, 535 E 70 St., New York, NY 10021. Address e-mail to yadeauj{at}hss.edu
Propofol inhibited regulated secretion of the neuropeptide ß-endorphin from AtT-20 cells, a pituitary tumor cell line. Neuropeptide secretion depends on an increase of intracellular calcium (Ca2+) levels. We investigated the hypothesis that propofol altered intracellular Ca2+ levels in AtT-20 cells. Propofol (100 µM) did not inhibit Ca2+-induced secretion of ß-endorphin from digitonin-permeabilized cells. Thus, propofol did not inhibit neuropeptide secretion by blocking the effects of increased intracellular Ca2+. Intracellular Ca2+ was measured in intact cells using a Ca2+-sensitive dye. Ca2+ transients were generated by depolarization with KCl or by incubation with thapsigargin (an inhibitor of Ca2+ uptake into the endoplasmic reticulum). Propofol inhibited generation of Ca2+ transients in intact cells by KCl (half-maximal inhibitory concentration of 14.9 µM; P < 0.05). Nitrendipine also inhibited potassium-induced Ca2+ peaks. Propofol 50 µM reduced the thapsigargin-induced Ca2+ peak to 47% of control (P < 0.05). Thapsigargin-induced Ca2+ peaks were not affected by calcium channel blockade by nitrendipine. Propofol inhibited the stimulus-induced increase in intracellular Ca2+. Propofol inhibited thapsigargin-induced Ca2+ transients, but nitrendipine did not, indicating that propofol had effects on intracellular Ca2+ independent of blockade of L-type Ca2+ channels. Propofol may inhibit release of Ca2+ from intracellular stores. These results are consistent with the hypothesis that propofol inhibits neuropeptide secretion by inhibiting the stimulus-induced increase in intracellular Ca2+.
IMPLICATIONS: Propofol may block both entry of calcium into cells and release of calcium from intracellular stores, thereby inhibiting regulated secretion of neuropeptides. Study of the effects of propofol on intracellular calcium metabolism may increase understanding of how propofol alters brain function and may aid development of better IV anesthetics.
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