Objective:To investigate the role of dopamine receptors in the central amygdala (CeA) in reduction of the anxiety level by propofol in a mouse model of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).Methods:Fifty-six SPF healthy adult male C57BL/6 mice, aged 10 weeks, weighing 20-25 g, were divided into 7 groups ( n=8 each) using a random number table method: control group (C group), PTSD group (P group), PTSD+ propofol group (PP group), PTSD+ fat emulsion group (PF group), PTSD+ propofol+ normal saline group (PPN group), PTSD+ propofol+ dopamine receptor D1 (DRD1) antagonist group (PP+ DRD1-Ant group), and PTSD+ propofol+ DRD2 antagonist group (PP+ DRD2-Ant group). The PTSD model was developed by continuous plantar electric shock for 3 days. Propofol 120 mg/kg was intraperitoneally injected after successful establishment of the model in PP group, and the equal volume of fat emulsion was intraperitoneally injected in PF group. In PPN group, PP+ DRD1-Ant group and PP+ DRD2-Ant group, the equal volume of normal saline, DRD1 antagonist hydrochloride and DRD2 antagonist eticlopride hydrochloride were injected in bilateral CeA regions, respectively, 30 min later the efficacy of drugs reached the peak, and then propofol 120 mg/kg was intraperitoneally injected. The anxiety levels were measured at 4 h (T 1) and day 3 after propofol injection (T 2) by the open field test and elevated cross maze test. Results:Compared with C group, the time spent entering the open and central areas was significantly shortened at T 1, 2, and the number of entering the open and central areas was decreased at T 1, 2 in P group ( P<0.001). Compared with P group, the time spent entering the open and central areas was significantly prolonged at T 1, the number of entering the open and central areas was increased at T 1 ( P<0.001), and no significant change was found at T 2 in PP group ( P>0.05), and no significant change was found in the aforementioned parameters at T 1, 2 in PF group ( P>0.05). Compared with PPN group, the time spent entering the open and central areas was significantly shortened at T 1, and the number of entering the open and central areas was decreased at T 1 in PP+ DRD2-Ant group ( P<0.001), and no significant change was found at T 1 in PP+ DRD1-Ant group ( P>0.05). Conclusions:Activation of DRD2 in the CeA is involved in the process by which propofol reduces the anxiety level of mice with PTSD.