[Characterization of propofol binding to plasma proteins and possible interactions].

Objectives: a) To study the binding of propofol to proteins in plasma samples from healthy volunteers and in solutions of albumin and alpha 1-acid glycoprotein (AGA); b) to describe the nature of the bond and possible interactions with other substances that are potential displacers: salicylate, phenylbutazone, sulfisoxazole, tolbutamide, sodium valproate, sodium oleate and penbutolol; c) to assess the effect of propofol on the binding of specific markers and possible binding sites in the following proteins: 14C-warfarin, 3H-diazepam, 3H-midazolam, 3H-imidazole, 3H-penbutolol and 3H-morphine.
Material and Methods: The free fraction was obtained in all samples by ultrafiltration and measurement of the free concentration of propofol by liquid chromatography and of the markers by scintillation spectrometry.
Results: The free fraction of propofol in plasma was 0.98 +/- 0.12% and binding was not saturable. Albumin seems to play an important role (95% bound), whereas the participation of AGA was low (54% bound). Propofol did not affect the binding of any of the markers studied. Nor did the presence of other drugs at therapeutic plasma concentrations affect the binding of propofol.
Conclusions: The binding of propofol to plasma proteins seems unlikely to cause drug interactions in clinical practice.