Propofol attenuates H2O2-induced senescence in human umbilical vein endothelial cells by activating the NRF2/HO-1 axis

  • Blood Cells Mol Dis. 2026 Sep:120:103021. doi: 10.1016/j.bcmd.2026.103021.
Guilong Yu  1 ,  Yinhao Guo  2 ,  Shilian Tan  2 ,  Xueqing Shen  3 ,  Jun Li  4
Affiliations
  • 1. Department of Anesthesiology, The Affiliated Hospital of Southwest Medical University, No.25, Taiping Street, Luzhou City, Sichuan Province, 646000, China; Department of Anesthesiology, The Second People's Hospital of Jiangyou, No. 31, Juhui Road, Jiangyou City, Sichuan Province, 621700, China.
  • 2. Department of Anesthesiology, Mianyang Key Laboratory of Anesthesia and Neuroregulation, Mianyang Central Hospital, No. 12, Changjia Lane, Jingzhong Street, Fucheng District, Mianyang City, Sichuan Province, 621000, China.
  • 3. Department of Anesthesiology, The Second People's Hospital of Jiangyou, No. 31, Juhui Road, Jiangyou City, Sichuan Province, 621700, China.
  • 4. Department of Anesthesiology, The Affiliated Hospital of Southwest Medical University, No.25, Taiping Street, Luzhou City, Sichuan Province, 646000, China; Department of Anesthesiology, Mianyang Key Laboratory of Anesthesia and Neuroregulation, Mianyang Central Hospital, No. 12, Changjia Lane, Jingzhong Street, Fucheng District, Mianyang City, Sichuan Province, 621000, China. Electronic address: [email protected].
PMID: 42341456 DOI: 10.1016/j.bcmd.2026.103021
Abstract

This study investigated the protective effect and mechanism of propofol (PPF) against hydrogen peroxide (H2O2)-induced oxidative damage in human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs). An H2O2-induced injury model was established and treated with various concentrations of PPF. The results demonstrated that PPF significantly alleviated H2O2-induced cytotoxicity, Apoptosis, proliferative suppression, and cellular senescence while enhancing cell migration and tube formation. Mechanistically, PPF increased the activities of antioxidant Enzymes (SOD, CAT, GSH-Px), reduced Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS) and malondialdehyde (MDA) levels, suppressed the release of inflammatory cytokines (IL-6, IL-8, TNF-α), promoted endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) phosphorylation and nitric oxide (NO) production, and maintained intracellular adenosine triphosphate (ATP) content. Under conditions of chronic, sustained oxidative stress, PPF remained effective in activating the NRF2/HO-1 pathway and alleviating cellular damage. Furthermore, PPF facilitated nuclear translocation of nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (NRF2) and up-regulated the expression of its downstream target heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1). Inhibition of NRF2 using ML385 significantly attenuated the antioxidant, anti-senescent, and cytoprotective effects of PPF. In conclusion, PPF mitigates H2O2-induced endothelial cell injury and functional impairment by activating the NRF2/HO-1 pathway and modulating the ROS-eNOS/NO-ATP axis, suggesting its potential as an endothelial protective agent in clinical settings.

Keywords
Cellular senescence; Human umbilical vein endothelial cells; NRF2/HO-1 signaling axis; Oxidative stress; Propofol.
Products