Disturbance of hepatocellular integrity associated with propofol anaesthesia in surgical patients

Propofol anaesthesia has not been associated with any hepatic consequences. We used glutathione transferase Alpha (GSTA), a very sensitive indicator of hepatocellular integrity, to evaluate the effect of propofol on the liver. Total intravenous anaesthesia was induced and maintained with propofol without any supplements in 30 female patients undergoing breast surgery. Ten healthy female volunteers given the lipid vehicle of propofol served as controls. Serum GSTA concentration was measured with a sensitive time-resolved immunofluorometric assay. Total intravenous propofol anaesthesia was stable and postoperative nausea negligible. A significant increase in GSTA from 3.1 micrograms.l-1 (mean baseline) to 10.0 micrograms.l-1 (mean peak) was noted after propofol infusion, indicating subclinical disturbance in hepatocellular integrity. No change in aminotransferases and no clinical signs of hepatotoxicity were observed. A small increase in GSTA from 2.4 micrograms.l-1 (mean baseline) to 4.1 micrograms.l-1 (mean peak) was observed during lipid infusion. We detected a subclinical disturbance in hepatocellular integrity after propofol anaesthesia for breast surgery. The mechanisms of hepatocellular impairment are not clear but the lipid vehicle of propofol alone does not explain it.