Abstract: Abstract Objective: To compare the effect of propofol on the convulsion induced by levobupivacaine, ropivacaine and bupivacaine. Methods: Sixty-four male Wistar rats were randomly divided into Control group (group C), Levobupivacaine group (group L), Ropivacaine group (group R), Bupivacaine group (group B). Each group was divided into two sub-groups (n=8): experimental group (EG) and propofol treatment group (PG). Group EG of Group L, group R and group B were infused with 0.75% levobupivacaine, 0.75%ropivacain or 0.75% bupivacaine at a same rate of 2mg?kg-1? min-1 respectively. Normal saline was infused in Group EG of Group C, propofol was infused in Group PG. Two hours after convulsion developed, the expression of c-fos, the concentration of NO and NOS activity were measured. Results：Convulsion appeared in every group except group C. The emergency time of convulsion was 10.63±4.809min, 12.63±7.836min and 7.75±3.919min in sub-group EG of group L, R and B respectively. Rats which developed convulsion could quickly be suppressed mostly within 15 seconds in group PG after rats were given an i.v. bolous of propofol, From the overall performance and the duration of convulsion, there were not significantly differences of propofol against convulsion among group PG .Compared with group C, the expression of c-fos, the concentration of NO and the activity of NOS in hippocampus was significantly higher in group EG of group L, group R and groupB (P<0.05). Compared with group EG, the expression of c-fos, the concentration of NO and the activity of NOS in hippocampus was significantly higher in group EG group L, group R and groupB (P<0.05). The K-value of the expression of c-fos, the concentration of NO and the activity of NOS in group L and group R was less than group B(P<0.05), and whereas the K-value of group L was not much bigger than that in group B（P＞0.05）. Conclusions: Propofol may inhibit the convulsion induced by levobupivacaine, ropivacaine and bupivacaine to a certain degree. From the change of the expression of c-fos, the concentration of NO and the activity of NOS, propofol may more effective to inhibit convulsion induced by bupivacaine than levobupivacaine and ropivacaine.

Key words: propofol, local anesthetic, seizure, c-fos, nitric oxide (NO), nitric oxide synthase (NOS)