ABSTRACT
<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the effects of dexmedetomidine on inflammatory reaction, oxidative stress, and renal pathologies in a rat model of lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced sepsis.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Thirty-two SD rats were randomly divided into 4 groups, including a sham-operated group, LPS group with LPS (5 mg/kg) injection via the caudal vein 30 min before the operation, dexmedetomidine (Dex) +LPS group with additional Dex (10 µg/kg) injection via the caudal vein 10 min before LPS injection, and yohimbine+DEX+LPS group with intraperitoneal yohimbine (1 mg/kg) injection 40 min before and Dex injection 10 min before LPS injection. The levels of IL-1β, SOD and MDA in the plasma and renal tissues were determined, and the renal pathologies were examined.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Compared with the sham-operated rats, the rats in LPS group showed significantly increased IL-1β and MDA levels and lowered SOD activity in the plasma and renal tissues (P<0.05) with obvious renal pathologies. Dex pretreatment obviously lowered IL-1β and MDA levels and enhanced SOD activity in the plasma and renal tissues in LPS-challenged rats (P<0.05), and significantly lessened LPS-induced renal pathologies.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Dex can protect the rats against LPS-induced renal injury by alleviating the inflammatory reactions and cytokine oxidative stress, and this effect is mediated possibly by α2 receptors.</p>