Abstract: Abstract Objective: To observe the long-term effect of propofol on cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injury in rats. Methods: Middle cerebral artery occlusion models were performed in male SD rats. One hundred and forty-four rats were randomly divided into 4 groups with 36 rats in each group, which included S group, IR group, L group and P group. In the following 28 days, the modified neurological severity score, the percentage of cerebral infarct volume and Morris water maze test were detected respectively. Results: After a long-term observation,comparing with IR group, propofol improved the neurological impairment, reduced the cerebral infarct volume and increased the learning and memory ability. Conclusion: Propofol provides a sustained neuroprotective effect, can last for at least 28 days and this effect is not lipid-dependent. Key words propofol cerebral ischemia reperfusion injury postconditioning rats

Key words: propofol, cerebral ischemia, reperfusion injury, postconditioning, rats