Propofol exerts anti-hepatocellular carcinoma by microvesicle-mediated transfer of miR-142-3p from macrophage to cancer cells.

OBJECTIVE: We previously confirmed that propofol directly inhibited the viability, proliferation, and invasiveness of hepatocellular carcinoma cells in vitro. In this study, we investigated the mechanism underlying the anti-HCC effects of propofol. METHODS: In vivo antitumor activity was investigated in tumor-bearing mice following an intraperitoneal injection of propofol, with or without clodrolip. The co-culture system was used to verify that miR-142-3p was transported from macrophages to HCC cells. A miR-142-3p inhibitor was used to down-regulate the expression of miR-142-3p. RESULTS: Propofol drastically inhibited tumor growth in tomor-bearing mice through macrophage activation, and stimulated tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs) to secrete microvesicles (MVs), which delivered miR-142-3p to HCC cells, resulting in the inhibition of HCC cell invasion. In addition, MVs collected from the plasma of the tumor-bearing mice injected with propofol suppressed tumor growth. More importantly, down-regulation of the expression miR-142-3p reversed the effect of propofol on HCC cell migration. CONCLUSIONS: This study reveals a novel role for propofol in the inhibition of HCC through MV-mediated transfer of miR-142-3p from macrophages to cancer cells in vivo.

[Anesthetic management of Stanford type A aortic dissection operation].

OBJECTIVE: To explore the anesthetic management experiences of patients with Stanford A aortic dissection undergoing surgical treatment through moderate or deep hypothermia circulatory arrest (DHCA). METHODS: From June 2008 to December 2011, a total of 77 patients undergoing surgical treatment of Stanford A aortic dissection was recruited. RESULTS: Cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) was established under general anesthesia in all patients. The procedures included moderate hypothermia (n = 51) and DHCA (n = 26). The total surgical duration was 152 - 600 (292 ± 91) min, CPB time 38 - 310 (128 ± 43) min and aortic cross-clamp time 31 - 169 (87 ± 26) min. The time of circulatory arrest under deep hypothermia was 20 - 113 (41 ± 19) min in 26 patients. Among 77 patients, there were 5 intraoperative and 7 postoperative fatalities. The remained 65 patients were discharged postoperatively and received a regular outpatient follow-up. None of them died or required reoperation. CONCLUSION: Surgical treatment is appropriate and efficient for the patients with Stanford A aortic dissection. During surgery, the keys of preventing neurological complications are blood volume monitoring and blood protection.