The Effects of Dexmedetomidine and Propofol on the Antioxidant System

The effects of many intravenous drugs, which are used for sedation anesthesia, on free radicals are well known. Two of these drugs are propofol and dexmedetomidine. This study was designed to investigate the effects of dexmedetomidine and propofol on the oxidant and antioxidant systems. Subjects were divided into two groups. Propofol were given to the first group (n=19) and dexmedetomidine to the second group (n=13) for sedation. Blood pressure and heart rate were recorded and serum ALT (alanine aminotransferase), AST (aspartate aminotransferase), creatinine, BUN (blood urea nitrogen), MDA (malondialdehyde), catalase and GSH-Px (glutathione peroxidase) were measured before and 2 hours and 2 days after the drug administration. When propofol and dexmedetomidine groups were compared in terms of blood pressure, heart rate, serum AST, ALT, BUN and creatinin values no statistically significant difference was detected. In propofol group MDA values decreased significantly (p