Mechanism of dexmedetomidine-induced reduction of acute visceral pain in rats: relationship be-tween α2 adrenergic receptors and expression of Nav1. 8 in dorsal root ganglion neurons / 中华麻醉学杂志

ABSTRACT

Objective To evaluate the relationship betweenα2 adrenergic receptors and expression of Nav1. 8 in dorsal root ganglion (DRG) neurons, and to illuminate the mechanism of dexmedetomidine-induced reduction of acute visceral pain in rats. Methods Thirty-two clean-grade healthy adult male Spra-gue-Dawley rats, aged 6-8 weeks, weighing 180-220 g, were divided into 4 groups ( n=8 each) using a random number table method: control group ( group C ) , acute visceral pain group ( group VP ) , dexmedetomidine group (group D), and dexmedetomidine plus atipamezole group (group DA). In VP, D and DA groups, 10-3 mmol∕L capsaicin 1. 3 ml was injected into the rectum at a dose of 10-3 mmol∕L to establish the acute visceral pain model, while the equal volume of normal saline was given instead in group C. Atipamezole 1 mg∕kg was subcutaneously injected through the back of the neck at 20 min before establishing the model in group DA. Dexmedetomidine 10μg∕kg was injected through the tail vein at 15 min before establishing the model in D and DA groups, while the equal volume of normal saline was given instead at the correspording time points in C and VP groups. The visceral pain behavior score was recorded at 1 h after establishing the model. The animals were then sacrificed, and DRGs of the lumbar segment (L3-6) were removed for determination of the number of Nav1. 8 positive DRG neurons (by immunohisto-chemistry) and expression of Nav1. 8 mRNA (by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction). Results Compared with group C, the visceral behavior scores and the number of Nav 1. 8 positive DRG neurons were significantly increased, and the expression of Nav 1. 8 mRNA was up-regulated in VP, D and DA groups (P<0. 05). Compared with group VP, the visceral behavior score and the number of Nav1. 8 positive DRG neurons were significantly decreased, and the expression of Nav 1. 8 mRNA was down-regulated in D and DA groups (P<0. 05). Compared with group D, the visceral behavior scores and the number of Nav1. 8 positive DRG neurons were significantly increased, and the expression of Nav1. 8 mRNA was up-regulated in group DA ( P<0. 05) . Conclusion The mechanism by which dexmedetomidine reduces acute visceral pain is related to activatingα2 adrenergic receptors and to down-regulating the expression of Nav1. 8 in DRG neu-rons of rats.