RESUMO
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.