Lipid emulsion, but not propofol, induces skeletal muscle damage and lipid peroxidation

Prolonged propofol infusion induces skeletal muscle damage. However, it is well known that the lipid emulsion that is the solvent of propofol causes various types of tissue damage via lipid peroxidation, and that propofol, conversely, has an anti-lipid peroxidative effect. The purpose of this study was to determine whether propofol or the lipid emulsion is the cause of muscle damage following prolonged administration.

Rats were divided into four groups: NI group (no intervention), Cath group (venous catheter insertion only), Prop group (1% propofol (Maruishi) intravenous infusion at 10 mg/kg/h), and Lipid group (10% Lipofundin® intravenous infusion at 100 mg/kg/h) (n = 10, each group). 1% Propofol (Maruishi) or Lipofundin was infused at 1 mL/kg/h for 72 h. The solvent of 1% propofol (Maruishi) is a 10% lipid emulsion. Lipofundin consists of 50% long-chain triacylglycerols and 50% medium-chain triacylglycerols, similar to the propofol solvent. Plasma concentrations of creatine kinase and myoglobin, superoxide production level, and 4-hydroxynonenal and malondialdehyde expression in the gastrocnemius muscle were evaluated 72 h after the interventions.

Plasma concentrations of creatine kinase and myoglobin in the Lipid group were significantly higher than those in the other three groups. The superoxide production level, and 4-hydroxynonenal and malondialdehyde expression in the Lipid group were also significantly higher than in the other three groups.

Lipofundin induces skeletal muscle damage via lipid peroxidation, and 1% propofol (Maruishi) conversely suppresses the muscle damage via antioxidant effects.