Abstract: [Abstract] Objective   To evaluate the effects of propofol on TREM-1 expressed on THP-1 by lipopolysaccharide-stimulated and its possible mechanisms. Methods   Cells were divided into 7 groups: one group was control, one group was exposed to LPS in final concentration of 100g/ml, one group incubated with propofol of 100μM/L, and the remaining groups were combined LPS of 100ng/ml and propofol at different dose of 12.5μM/L, 25μM/L, 50μM/L, 100μM/L respectively. Following incubation for 16 hours, concentrations of TNF-α in supernatants were measured via ELISA, TREM-1 on cells were used to undertake FACS and TREM-1 mRNA were detecetd via qRT-PCR. Results   TREM-1 on THP-1 significantly increased in group P3 and group P4 compared with group LPS (P<0.05), furthermore group P4 is higher than P3. The concentrations of TNF-α significantly (P<0.05) increased in supernatant after LPS stimulation, compared with control group, and 50μM/L or 100μM/L of propofol can significantly (P<0.05) ameliorated the concentrations of TNF-α compared with LPS-single treated group. Group P4 or group Pro has no difference (P>0.05) in TREM-1 mRNA expression, but the remaining groups significantly (P<0.05) increased the amount of TREM-1 mRNA compared with control group. Conclusions   Propofol could enhance expression of TREM-1 on surface of THP-1. Meanwhile, propofol ameliorates the concentrations of TNF-α in culture supernatant, which reduces inflammatory responses. And propofol may modulate the TREM-1 mRNA expression.

Key words: endotoxins, lipopolysaccharides, propofol, monocytes, TNF-α, Triggering receptor expressed on myeloid cells 1