Xue-kang Zhang - Department of Anesthesiology, First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang, Jiangxi ۳۳۰۰۰۶, China
Xiao-ping Zhou - Grade ۲۰۱۲ of Medical Department of Graduate School, Nanchang University, Nanchang, Jiangxi ۳۳۰۰۰۶, China
Qin Zhang - Department of Anesthesiology, First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang, Jiangxi ۳۳۰۰۰۶, China
Feng Zhu - Intensive Care Unit (ICU), First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang, Jiangxi ۳۳۰۰۰۶, China

Objective(s): Intestinal ischemia-reperfusion is a major problem, which may lead to multiorgan failure and death. The aim of this study was to evaluate the protective effects of dexmedetomidine on cell proliferation, antioxidant system, cell death, and structural integrity in intestinal injury induced by ischemia-reperfusion in rats. Materials and Methods: Animals were randomized into three groups: group A, sham-operated or control; group B, intestinal ischemia/reperfusion (IR); and group C, intestinal IR pretreated with ۵۰ μg of dexmedetomidine. Intestine tissue was collected from all rats ۳۰ min after desufflation, and fresh frozen for histological and biochemical evaluation. Results: The intestinal tissue of group B rats showed a significant decrease in the antioxidant             enzyme activities. However, these enzyme activities were improved by the administration of dexmedetomidine. Inhibiting the protein expression of MCP۷, PAR۲, P-JAK, P-STAT۱, and P-STAT۳ proved the protective effect of dexmedetomidine. The immunohistochemical staining revealed its protective effect by maintaining the normal structural integrity, less caspase-۳ immuno reactivity, and increased cell proliferation count in the intestinal tissues. Conclusions: Intraperitoneal injection of dexmedetomidine significantly protected intestine IR injury in rats by inhibiting the inflammatory response, intestinal epithelial apoptosis, and maintaining structural integrity of intestinal cells.

Dexmedetomidine Inflammatory–response, Intestinal injury, Ischemia-reperfusion