Effect of dexmedetomidine on expression of NGF in isolated hippocampal neurons of fetal rats incubated with propofol

Objective To evaluate the effect of dexmedetomidine on the expression of nerve growth factor(NGF)in isolated hippocampal neurons of fetal rats incubated with propofol. Methods Hippocampal neurons derived from the fetal rats of pregnant Sprague-Dawley rats at 5-13 days of gestation were primarily cultured for 7 days, and were inoculated in the culture plate at a density of 5×105 cells/ml.The neurons were randomly divided into 3 groups(n=15 each)using a random number table: control group(group C), propofol group(group P), and dexmedetomidine + propofol group(group DP). In group P, propofol with the final concentration of 100 μmol/L was added to the culture medium, and the cells were incubated for 3 h. In group DP, dexmedetomidine with the final concentration of 1 μmol/L was added to the culture medium, the cells were incubated for 30 min, and then propofol with the final concentration of 100 μmol/L was added to the culture medium, and the cells were incubated for 3 h. The viability of hippocampal neurons was assessed by CCK-8 assay.NGF mRNA expression was detected by real-time reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction.NGF protein expression was detected by Western blot. Results Compared with group C, the viability of hippocampal neurons was significantly decreased, and the expression of NGF protein and mRNA was down-regulated in group P(P<0.05). Compared with group P, the viability of hippocampal neurons was significantly increased, and the expression of NGF protein and mRNA was up-regulated in group DP(P<0.05). Conclusion Dexmedetomidine improve propofol-induced decrease in the viability of isolated hippocampal neurons of fetal rats through up-regulating the expression of NGF. Key words: Dexmedetomidine; Propofol; Hippocampus; Neurons; Nerve growth factor