Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 16, 2026
Detection of Inflammasome Activation and Pyroptotic Cell Death in Murine Bone Marrow-derived Macrophages
Published on: May 21, 2018
Therapeutic concentrations of propofol protects mouse macrophages from nitric oxide-induced cell death and apoptosis
Hang Chang1, Shih-Ying Tsai, Yi Chang
1Department of Education and Research, Shin-Kong Wu Ho-Su Memorial Hospital, Taipei Medical University, Taiwan.
Purpose:
To evaluate the potential effect of a clinically relevant concentration of propofol (PPF) on cell viability and nitric oxide-induced macrophage apoptosis.
Methods:
Mouse macrophages (cell line Raw 264.7) were cultured and incubated with a nitric oxide donor sodium nitroprusside (SNP), PPF, and a combination of PPF and SNP for one, six and 24 hr. Cell viability was determined by the colorimetric 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide assay. Apoptotic cells were determined by analyzing the percentages of sub-G1 phase in macrophages. The amounts of nitric oxide were assayed.
Results:
The amounts of nitric oxide in macrophages were increased with time when incubated with SNP (P < 0.05). Simultaneously, SNP caused cell death of macrophages in a concentration-and time-dependent manner (P < 0.05). PPF per se did not alter the amount of basal and SNP-provided nitric oxide in macrophages. A therapeutic concentration of PPF (30 microM) exhibited no cytotoxicity. After incubation with SNP for one and six hours, PPF could completely or partially block nitric oxide-induced cell death, respectively (P < 0.05). Administration of SNP to macrophages resulted in a time-dependent pattern of increase of apoptotic cells (P < 0.05). Similar to the results of the cell viability analyses, PPF was able to protect macrophages from nitric oxide-induced apoptosis in one and six hour-treated groups (P < 0.05) but not in the 24 hr treated group.
Conclusion:
PPF, at a therapeutic concentration, can protect mouse macrophages in vitro from nitric oxide-induced cell apoptosis as well as cell death.
Insights
Propofol (PPF) protects mouse macrophages from nitric oxide (NO)-induced cell death and apoptosis. This study shows PPF
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Cell Biology
- Pharmacology
Background:
- Nitric oxide (NO) plays a critical role in cellular signaling and immune responses.
- Macrophage apoptosis can be induced by NO donors, impacting immune regulation.
- Propofol (PPF) is an anesthetic agent with potential immunomodulatory effects.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the protective effects of propofol (PPF) against nitric oxide (NO)-induced apoptosis in mouse macrophages.
- To evaluate the impact of a clinically relevant PPF concentration on macrophage viability and NO-mediated cell death.
Main Methods:
- Mouse macrophages (Raw 264.7 cell line) were treated with sodium nitroprusside (SNP), a NO donor, and propofol (PPF).
- Cell viability was assessed using the MTT assay.
- Apoptosis was quantified by analyzing sub-G1 phase DNA content.
- Nitric oxide levels were measured.
Main Results:
- SNP induced concentration- and time-dependent cell death and apoptosis in macrophages.
- Propofol (PPF) alone did not affect basal or SNP-induced nitric oxide levels.
- A therapeutic concentration of PPF (30 microM) demonstrated no cytotoxicity and protected macrophages from NO-induced cell death and apoptosis at early time points (1 and 6 hours).
Conclusions:
- Propofol (PPF), at a therapeutic concentration, exhibits protective effects against nitric oxide-induced apoptosis and cell death in mouse macrophages in vitro.
- These findings suggest a potential role for propofol in modulating inflammatory responses involving nitric oxide.
