DOI: 10.21276/sasjm.2018.4.11.5

Pages: 193-197

The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of propofol on lipid peroxidation in patients operated for uterine cervix cancer and who planned to have external beam radiotherapy and brachytherapy. The cell membrane is protected against lipid peroxidation through endogeneous antioxidants such as lipid soluble α- tocopherol. The anesthetic agent propofol has a chemical structure which is similar to α-tocopherol, since it also contains a phenolic OH-group. The phenolic hydroxyl group is responsible for the antioxidant properties of propofol. 30 operated uterine cervix cancer patients were studied in two groups. Propofol induction (2 mg/kg) was performed in one group; propofol induction (2 mg/kg) and infusion (3 mg/kg/hr) during brachytherapy were performed in the other group. Blood samples were taken before (1st sampling) and after external radiotherapy (2nd sampling) and after brachytherapy (3rd sampling) for determination of lipid peroxidation (malondialdehyde, MDA) levels. Mean MDA levels were evaluated in both groups after external radiotherapy and brachytherapy. Changes in MDA levels with time were statistically significant in both of the groups (F=28.71 p=0.001).