Effect of dexmedetomidine on liver injury in rats with obstructive jaundice

Objective To evaluate the effect of dexmedetomidine on liver injury in the rats with obstructive jaundice. Methods Forty-five healthy male Sprague Dawley rats, weighing 250-300 g, aged 8-9 weeks, were divided into 3 groups (n=15 each) using a random number table: sham operation group (S group), obstructive jaundice group (OJ group) and dexmedetomidine group (D group). Obstructive jaundice was induced in rats by division and double ligation of the common bile duct in OJ and D groups.Dexmedetomidine 100 μg/kg was injected intraperitoneally at 72 h after establishment of the model in group D. At 3, 5 and 24 h after administration, blood samples were collected from hearts for determination of the plasma alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and C-reactive protein (CRP) levels.After blood sampling at each time point, the specimens from the external right lobe of the liver were obtained for detection of the expression of Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) mRNA (by real-time polymerase chain reaction) and TLR4 content (by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay) in liver tissues and for pathological examination of liver tissues (with light microscope). Results Compared with group S, the plasma ALT and CRP levels were significantly increased at each time point after administration, and the expression of TLR4 mRNA in liver tissues was significantly up-regulated, and TLR4 content in liver tissues was significantly increased in OJ and D groups (P<0.05). Compared with group OJ, the plasma ALT and CRP levels were significantly decreased at each time point after administration, and the expression of TLR4 mRNA in liver tissues was significantly down-regulated, and TLR4 content in liver tissues was significantly decreased in group D (P<0.05). The degree of damage to liver tissues was significantly attenuated in group D compared with group OJ, and was aggravated in group D compared with group S. Conclusion Dexmedetomidine can reduce liver injury in the rats with obstructive jaundice. Key words: Dexmedetomidine; Jaundice, obstructive; Liver diseases