Propofol inhibits phagocytosis and killing of Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli by polymorphonuclear leukocytes in vitro

Polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMNL) are important components of the immunological defence system which protects the human organism from invading bacteria. Using a fluorescence microscopic method, we examined the influence of propofol and its solvent intralipid on phagocytosis and killing of Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli by PMNL in vitro. Propofol inhibited (P < or = 0.001) phagocytosis of Staphylococcus aureus as well as Escherichia coli. Killing of Staphylococcus aureus (P < or = 0.001) and of Escherichia coli (P < or = 0.01) was suppressed. Intralipid, by itself, impaired phagocytosis of Escherichia coli (P < or = 0.05). Apart from that, intralipid produced no relevant effects. Additional clinical studies regarding the influence of propofol on PMNL function are recommended.