Antioxidative Effects of Isoflurane and Propofol on Serum Levels of Catalase, Glutathione and Superoxide Dismutase in Craniotomy for Supratentorial Tumor

Background: Surgical stresses can reduce the activity level of antioxidant enzymes. The brain is one of the vital organs of the body and yet vulnerable to oxidative damage. Considering the antioxidative effects of anesthetics, this study aimed to compare the effect of isoflurane and propofol on the serum levels of catalase, glutathione peroxidase and superoxide dismutase in patients who experienced craniotomy due to supratentorial tumor.Methods and materials: This randomized clinical trial was performed on 40 patients with supratentorial tumor craniotomy in Loghman Hakim hospital in Tehran (capital city of Iran), who were randomly assigned to receive propofol and isoflurane. Data were collected using a questionnaire including age, sex, serum glutathione peroxidase level, serum superoxide dismutase level, serum catalase levels, duration of surgery, and fentanyl. Data were analyzed using SPSS-21 software, Chi-Square, Paired T-test, ANOVA, independent t-test, Kruskal-Wallis and Wilcoxon tests.Results: Increasing in serum catalase level after surgery was significant in propofol group (p=0.002), but not significant in isoflurane group. Reduction of serum glutathione peroxidase level after surgery was significant in the isoflurane group (p=0.003), but not significant in propofol group. Reduction of serum level of superoxide dismutase after surgery was not significant in both groups. Serum levels of catalase, glutathione and superoxide dismutase were not significantly correlated with age, sex, fentanyl and duration of surgery.Conclusion: The study showed that serum catalase levels increased in the propofol group after surgery. However, serum glutathione peroxidase levels decreased in the isoflurane group after surgery. Changes in serum level of superoxide dismutase after surgery were not related to the type of anesthetic drug.Keywords: Isoflurane, Propofol, Catalase, Glutathione peroxidaase, Superoxide dismutase, Craniotomy