[Effect of intra-operative propofol administration on post-operative serum lipid concentrations]

Propofol in emulsion formulation is widely used for anesthesia during operation and sedation in ICU. We investigated the effect of propofol used as a main anesthetic on post-operative serum lipid concentration. Nineteen patients with ASA physical status I or II scheduled for elective operations were enrolled in this study. We measured triglycerides and total cholesterol (pre-operatively, post-operatively and on post-operative day 1) along with AST, ALT and T-Bil (pre-operatively and on post-operative day 1). Intraoperative infusion rate of propofol was 6.9 +/- 2.64 mg.kg-1.hr-1. Serum triglyceride concentration increased significantly post-operatively (P < 0.05). Serum total cholesterol concentration decreased significantly post-operatively and on post-operative day 1 (P < 0.05). Serum AST concentration increased significantly on post-operative day 1. But there were no significant changes in ALT and T-Bil concentration. Additionally, no significant correlation was found between intraoperative infusion rate of propofol and difference in pre- and post-operative triglyceride concentrations (r = 0.44). The soya bean oil content of propofol solution is equivalent to that of 10% fat solution. With 10% fat infusion rates of below 0.1 mg.kg-1.hr-1 (equall to propofol 10 mg.kg-1.hr-1), serum lipid concentration did not increase. But our results suggested that serum triglyceride concentration may increase significantly post-operatively after intra-operative propofol infusion at a rate of 4-9 mg.kg-1.hr-1.