Oxidant and antioxidant activities of different anesthetic techniques. Propofol versus desflurane

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the correlation between propofol and desflurane in terms of lipid peroxidation and antioxidant activity and to search the possible antioxidant anesthesia technique.

METHODS: The study was performed in the Department of Anesthesia and Reanimation, Medical Faculty, Suleyman Demirel University, Isparta, Turkey, between January 2006 and July 2006. Thirty, ASA I-II patients, with an age range of 19-55 years, undergoing elective surgery under general anesthesia were randomized to receive either propofol infusion (Group P) or desflurane inhalation (Group D) following standard induction. Malondialdehyde (MDA), glutathione peroxidase (GSH), super oxide dismutase (SOD) and alpha-tocopherol (Vitamin E) were measured preoperatively, at peroperatively first hour and postoperatively 12-hour.

RESULTS: Malondialdehyde was found lower peroperatively in Group P compared to Group D (p<0.05). In Group D, Vitamin E levels were decreased significantly peroperatively compared to preoperative period (p=0.001).

CONCLUSION: We observed a systemic oxidative stress increment with desflurane by terms of MDA; a lipid peroxidation product and endogenous antioxidant activity suppression by terms of Vitamin E at only peroperative period. This study may be defined to support the fact that free oxygen radicals were released more by desflurane than propofol.