Experimental Research Article : Effects of propofol on β-adrenoceptor-mediated signal transduction in cardiac muscle; role of cAMP

Background: Propofol may decrease myocardial contractility via actions on the β-adrenoceptor-mediated signal transduction. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of propofol via β-adrenoceptor-mediated signal transduction by measuring the tissue levels of cAMP (cyclic adenosine monophosphate). Methods: The effects of propofol on β-adrenoceptor mediated cascades were measured with cAMP concentrations, which were stimulated by agonists (l-isoproterenol, GTPγS, and forskolin) of each step of β-adrenoceptor-mediated cascades. Results: While the production of cAMP stimulated by isoproterenol, GTPγS, or forskolin are increased (P