Propofol at Single Bolus and Continuous Rate Infusion Significantly Increases Serum Triglycerides, but not Cholesterol, In Healthy Bitches Undergoing Elective Ovariohysterectomy

Abstract

This study aimed to investigate the effects of a single bolus and continuous rate infusion (CRI) of 1% propofol on cholesterol and triglyceride levels of healthy bitches undergoing elective ovariohysterectomy. 10 healthy bitches undergoing elective ovariohysterectomy had blood samples obtained at baseline (T_B), 15 minutes following premedication with acepromazine and morphine (T_PM), after an intravenous bolus of propofol (induction to anesthesia, T_IND) and following 90 minutes of CRI of propofol started at 0.4 mg kg^-1 min^-1 and adjusted according to individual requirements (T_CRI). Data were initially tested for normality using the Shapiro-Wilk test, and comparisons were performed using Friedman followed by Dunn post-hoc test. Serum cholesterol levels significantly decreased at T_IND and T_CRI (median [min-max] 201 mg dL^-1 [111-234 mg dL^-1], and 215 mg dL^-1 [111-239 mg dL^-1]), respectively, compared with T_B (232 [128-245 mg dL^-1]) and T_PM (206 [115-255 mg dL^-1]). No differences were found between T_IND and T_CRI. Triglyceride levels increased significantly at T_IND (120 [67-231 mg dL^-1]) and T_CRI (229 [73-549 mg dL^-1]) compared with T_PM (36 [51-29 mg dL^-1]), and T_CRI compared with T_B. In conclusion, 1% propofol lipid emulsion significantly increases serum triglycerides and causes lipemia in healthy dogs at a single bolus or CRI.

Keywords: dog; general anesthesia; hypercholesterolemia; hyperlipidemia; hypertriglyceridemia.