ABSTRACT
Objective To investigate the effects of dexmedetomidine on acute lung injury induced by hind limb ischemia-reperfusion in rats. Methods Sixty healthy male Wistar rats were randomly allocated into 4 groups: group C(control), group I-R(ischemia-reperfusion), group Pre-Dex(dexmedetomidine)and group Post-Dex. The morphological changes of the lung tissues were observed under light microscope , and polymorphonuclear neutrophils (PMN) in alveolar septum were counted. Meanwhile, lung coefficient, arterial partial PaO2, lung levels of tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, interleukin (IL)-6, interleukin (IL)-10, and malondialdehyde (MDA) were measured. Results Rats in the I-R group were resulted in the damage of the lung tissues. The rats in group Pre-Dex and group Post-Dex were featured with obvious mild lung injury. TNF-α、IL-6、IL-10 and MDA in lung levels were significantly increased in group I-R , Pre-Dex and Post-Dex. TNF-α, IL-6 and MDA in the lung were significantly decreased in group Pre-Pex and group Post-Dex. IL-10 was increased in group Pre-Dex and group Post-Dex. Conclusions Inflammatory response and oxidative stress are involved in the pathogenesis of acute lung injury induced by hind limb ischemia-reperfusion in rats. Dexmedetomidine attenuated the lung injury through anti-inflammation and anti-oxidation.