Propofol's effect on the sciatic nerve: Harmful or protective?

Propofol can inhibit the inflammatory response and reduce the secretion and harmful effects of astrocyte-derived proinflammatory cytokines. In this study, after propofol was injected into the injured sciatic nerve of mice, nuclear factor kappa B expression in the L(4–6) segments of the spinal cord in the injured side was reduced, apoptosis was decreased, nerve myelin defects were alleviated, and the nerve conduction block was lessened. The experimental findings indicate that propofol inhibits the inflammatory and immune responses, decreases the expression of nuclear factor kappa B, and reduces apoptosis. These effects of propofol promote regeneration following sciatic nerve injury.