Effect of dexmedetomidine on cerebral ischemia-reperfusion rats by activating mitochondrial ATP-sensitive potassium channel.

The aim of the study reported here was to evaluate whether the mitochondrial ATP-sensitive potassium (mitoKATP) channel could participate in the effect of dexmedetomidine on cerebral ischemia-reperfusion (I/R) rats. Forty rats were randomly assigned into 5 groups: sham operation (S) group; cerebral I/R group; dexmedetomidine (D) group; 5-hydroxydecanoate (5-HD) group; 5-HD + D group. The cerebral I/R were produced by 2 h right middle cerebral artery occlusion followed by 24 h reperfusion. Dexmedetomidine (50μg/kg) was injected intraperitoneally before ischemia and after the onset of reperfusion. 5-HD (30 mg/kg) was injected intraperitoneally at 1 h before ischemia. The neurological deficit score (NDS) and the levels of super oxide dismutase (SOD), malondialdehyde (MDA), myeloperoxidase (MPO), Interleukin 6 (IL-6) and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) were evaluated. Compared to group S, NDS and the levels of MDA, MPO, IL-6 and TNF-α were significantly higher, and SOD levels were significantly lower in the other groups (P < 0.05). Compared to group I/R,NDS and the levels of MDA, MPO, IL-6 and TNF-α were significantly lower, and SOD level was significantly higher in group D (P < 0.05). Compared to group D, NDS and the levels of MDA, MPO, IL-6 and TNF-α were significantly higher, and SOD level was significantly lower in group5-HD + D (P < 0.05). The activation of the mitoKATP channel could contribute to the protective effect of dexmedetomidine on rats induced by focal cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injury.