Fig. 3.

Propofol-induced downregulation of genes regulating mitochondrial energy metabolism. a Effect of propofol on expression of genes regulating mitochondrial function. qRT-PCR demonstrated that treatment with propofol for 48 h downregulated NDUFS8 (complex I, left, at 50 µg/ml) and SDHB (complex II, middle, ≥ 10 µg/ml). Expression of PGC-1alpha (an upstream regulator of mitochondrial function) was also reduced with ≥ 10 µg/ml propofol (right). b Propofol-induced downregulation of downstream genes regulated by PGC-1alpha. Downstream target genes of PGC-1alpha, specifically NRF1/2 (which encodes a regulator of mitochondrial complex genes), PDSS1 (which encodes a coenzyme Q10 [CoQ10] synthesis enzyme), PPARalpha, and CPT1B (which encodes a regulator of beta oxidation) were downregulated by treatment with 50 µg/ml propofol. Each transcript level was normalized to beta-actin (ACTB). Data are presented as triangular dots; n = 4–5 in each experimental condition. *P < 0.05, **P < 0.01, compared with control conditions (0 µg/ml propofol in triglyceride emulsion)