Effects of propofol on delayed rectifier potassium currents in acutely dissociated rat parietal cortical neurons

Objective To investigate the effects of propofol on the delayed rectifier potassium current (IK) in acutely dissociated rat parietal conical neurons. Methods Wistar rats between 10- and 14-day old of both sexes were used. The parietal cortical neurons were acutely dissociated enzymatically. The effects of propofol (10, 30,100, 300 μmol/L) on IK were investigated by using the whole cell patch clamp technique in acutely dissociated rat parietal cortical neurons. Results IK was inhibited by propofol in a concentration-dependent manner. The four concentrations of propofol (10, 30, 100, 300 μmol/L) reduced IK by (5.2 ± 1.3)%, (13.3 ± 2.4)%,(23.9 ± 5.5)% and (42.1 ± 6.6)%, respectively (n = 6, P 0.05). The activation curve was shifted to the right about 12 mV, and the inactivation curve to the left about 6 mV after giving propefol (100 μmol/L).Conclusion Propefol inhibits IK of parietal cortical neurons of rats in a concentration-dependent manner, and 100 μmol/L propofol can slow the activation of the delayed rectifier potassium channel and accelerate its inactivation. Key words: Propofol;  Delayed rectifier potassium channels;  Patch-clamp techniques;  Parietal lobe