Ciprofol Regulates the Activity of Mitochondrial Respiratory Chain Complex I During Cerebral Ischemia-Reperfusion by Targeting Flavin Mononucleotide: A Metabolomic Study.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Ciprofol, a novel intravenous anesthetic, has been shown to exert protective effects against ischemic stroke, a leading cause of death and disability; however, its molecular mechanisms remain unclear. This study aimed to explore the molecular mechanisms underlying the neuroprotective effects of ciprofol using metabolomics.

METHODS: This study used a middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) rat model to simulate cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injury (CIRI). The rats were divided into ciprofol, MCAO, and sham groups. Histological and neurobehavioral testing methods were used to investigate the therapeutic effects of ciprofol in rats. Ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography-quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry was used to screen for differential metabolites and related metabolic pathways in the serum and brain of the three groups. Spectrophotometry was used to detect in vitro mitochondrial respiratory chain complex I (MRCC-I) activity.

RESULTS: Neurological behavioral scores and cerebral infarct volumes of rats in the ciprofol group were significantly lower than those of rats in the MCAO group. Metabolomic analysis revealed 19 differential metabolites in serum samples and 31 differential metabolites in brain samples, including flavin mononucleotide (FMN). These metabolites were mainly enriched in the tricarboxylic acid cycle, respiratory electron transport chain, and amino acid and lipid metabolism. In vitro experiments demonstrated that ciprofol promoted the activity of MRCC-I during CIRI by increasing FMN levels.

CONCLUSION: The mechanisms of action of ciprofol during treatment of cerebral ischemia involve the tricarboxylic acid cycle, respiratory electron transport chain, and amino acid and lipid metabolism and may directly affect MRCC-I activity by regulating FMN.