Effects of dexmedetomidine on expressions of mesenteric artery proteins in rats

Objective: To observe the effects of dexmedetomidine (DEX) on the expressions of TNF-α, IL-1β and apoptosis-related proteins in rat mesenteric artery. Methods: Male SD rats of SPF grade were sacrificed and the mesenteric artery was separated under the stereo-microscope. We established an experimental model of vascular injury induced by lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and randomly divided the injured vessels into dexmedetomidine treatment group and control group. DEX treatment group was divided into 10^-8, 10^-7, and 10^-6 mol/L subgroups according to the different concentrations of DEX. RNA and total protein was extracted in each group. The mRNA expressions of TNF-α, IL-1β and CaSR were detected by RT-PCR and the protein expression of TNF-α, Caspase-3 and AMPK were tested by Western blot. Results: DEX (10^-8, 10^-7, and 10^-6mol/L) obviously reduced vascular inflammatory reaction induced by lipopolysaccharide, reduced the mRNA and protein expressions of TNF-α as well as mRNA expression of IL-1β. Caspase 3 protein expression significantly lowered in blood vessels in DEX group compared with LPS group. DEX had no obvious effect on lipopolysaccharide-induced vascular AMPK and CaSR mRNA or protein expressions. Conclusion: DEX obviously deceased the expressions of inflammation-related proteins, suggesting that DEX has anti-inflammatory effects.