The Effect of Propofol on Human Gastric and Colonic Muscle Contractions

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Abstract
Rips were mounted in an organ bath set-up for isometric contraction and stimulated by acetylcholine (Ach), using a cumulative dose schedule in the absence or presence of different concentrations of propofol [1.7 × 10−6 M (0.3 μg/mL) to 4.4 × 10−4 M (78 μg/mL)]. Ach led to concentration-dependent contraction of both gastric and colonic muscle strips, whereas propofol, at a concentration 6.7 × 10−6 M (1.2 μg/mL) and above, significantly depressed Ach-induced contraction in a concentration-dependent manner for both smooth muscle preparations. In addition, propofol, at a concentration 2.7 × 10−5M (4.8 μg/mL) and above, depressed spontaneous contractile activity of both smooth muscle preparations. Fat emulsion 10% (Intralipid®), the solvent for propofol, had no effect on either the spontaneous activity or the Ach-induced contraction of gastric and colonic smooth muscles. Implications The success of enteral feeding requires a normal gastrointestinal motility. We found that, at clinically relevant concentrations, propofol impaired gastrointestinal contractile activity. Further investigations are required to determine the clinical significance of this change....