REVIEW article
Front. Mol. Neurosci.
Sec. Molecular Signalling and Pathways
Volume 18 - 2025 | doi: 10.3389/fnmol.2025.1668523
This article is part of the Research TopicGPCRs: An Emerging Link Between Cell Signaling and Therapeutic Strategies in Neurological and Metabolic DisordersView all articles
Advances in Research on Propofol-Induced Postoperative Cognitive Dysfunction via Piezo Channels
Provisionally accepted
- 1Baotou Medical College, Baotou, China
- 2Department of Anesthesiology, Baogang Hospital of Inner Mongolia, Baotou, China
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Postoperative cognitive dysfunction (POCD), which often affects elderly patients after anesthesia and surgery, is characterized by memory loss, trouble concentrating, and difficulties with thinking and decision-making. Propofol is a commonly used intravenous anesthetic. Its effects on the brain are complex, and researchers have been paying closer attention to them. While it can protect nerve cells in some situations, it may also cause damage. Emerging evidence suggests that mechanosensitive Piezo ion channels may serve as critical mediators. These channels allow cells to detect mechanical forces and turn them into biological signals. They may act as a link between propofol use and cognitive decline. This review highlights new findings on how propofol may affect Piezo channel function. It shows that propofol changes the physical properties of cell membranes. It makes the membranes stiffer and less fluid. These changes may change how Piezo channels react to mechanical forces. They can disturb calcium signals and synaptic function in the brain. This problem can increase inflammation and damage to mitochondria. It can weaken synaptic connections and cause cognitive decline, especially in older adults. Additionally, calcium entering through Piezo1 channels has been linked to inflammation, which may be another mechanism by which propofol and Piezo channels together cause POCD. However, clear proof of how propofol interacts with Piezo channels is still lacking. More research with molecular simulations, genetic models, and calcium imaging is needed to better understand these processes.
Keywords: Calcium Signaling, Membrane Biomechanics, Neuroinflammation, Piezo channels, postoperative cognitive dysfunction, Propofol
Received: 18 Jul 2025; Accepted: 05 Sep 2025.
Copyright: © 2025 Xue, Zhang, Chou, Jia, Hao and Duan. This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (CC BY). The use, distribution or reproduction in other forums is permitted, provided the original author(s) or licensor are credited and that the original publication in this journal is cited, in accordance with accepted academic practice. No use, distribution or reproduction is permitted which does not comply with these terms.
* Correspondence:
Chunguang Hao, Department of Anesthesiology, Baogang Hospital of Inner Mongolia, Baotou, China
Xiaguang Duan, Department of Anesthesiology, Baogang Hospital of Inner Mongolia, Baotou, China
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