Propofol evokes endothelium-independent relaxation in rabbit thoracic aorta strips： role of K^＋ channels

Anesthetic induction and maintenance with propofol are associated with the decreased blood pressure that is partly due to their ability to inhibit vascular tone. it was suggested that mechanism of vasodilation induced by propofol may be related to reduction in extracellular Calcium influx and suppression of intracellular calcium release. Vascular tone is regulated by several major mechanisms except for calcium channels. One mechanism involves endothelial factors. A second major area of research involves regulation of vascular tone by activity of K^＋ channels. To understand the mechanisms of action of propofol on smooth muscle cells,