Effect of propofol on isolated human omental arteries and veins

To elucidate the effect and mode of action of propofol on human vascular smooth muscle tension, we have investigated the effect of propofol alone and the effect of propofol on contractions induced by U46619, KCl and caffeine on isolated human omental vessels. Propofol 10(-3) mot litre(-1) induced contractions in both arteries and veins attenuated the contraction elicited by U46619, KCl and caffeine in a concentration-dependent manner. The threshold concentrations for the effect of propofol in the artery were: 10(-5) mol litre(-1) (U46619, caffeine) and 10(-4) mol litre(-1) (KCl); and in the vein, 10(-5) mol litre(-1) (U46619) and 10(-4) mol litre(-1) (KCl, caffeine). We conclude that propofol at lower concentrations appeared to primarily attenuate contraction involving release of cellularly sequestered calcium. At higher concentrations (>10(-4.5) mol litre(-1)), propofol appeared to affect contraction involving extracellular or intracellular calcium fluxes similarly.