Propofol reduces microglia activation and neurotoxicity through inhibition of extracellular vesicle release

Propofol is an established anesthetic widely used for induction and maintenance of anesthesia. We investigated propofol for its anti-inflammatory effects on microglia and found that propofol treatment is associated with substantial lower levels of extracellular vesicles (EVs) in immune activated microglia. Importantly, EVs collected from immune activated microglia reversed propofol-mediated anti-inflammatory and neuroprotective effects, suggesting that propofol reduces proinflammatory microglia activation and microglia-mediated neurotoxicity through inhibition of EV release.

Source: Journal of Neuroimmunology - May 3, 2019 Category: Allergy & Immunology Authors: Jianhui Liu, Yuju Li, Xiaohuan Xia, Xiaoyu Yang, Runze Zhao, Justin Peer, Hongyun Wang, Zenghan Tong, Fengtong Gao, Hai Lin, Beiqing Wu, Yunlong Huang, Jialin Zheng Source Type: research