Effect of dexmedetomidine on damage to intestinal mucous membrane of rats with obstructive jaundice

Objective To evaluate the effect of dexmedetomidine on the damage to intestinal mucous membrane of rats with obstructive jaundice. Methods Thirty pathogen-free healthy male Sprague-Dawley rats, aged 4-6 months, weighing 200-250 g, were divided into 3 groups(n=10 each)using a random number table: control group(group C), obstructive jaundice group(group OJ)and dexmedetomidine group(group D). Obstructive jaundice was induced by double ligation of common bile duct in anesthetized rats.In group D, dexmedetomidine was intraperitoneally injected in a loading dose of 100 μg/kg at 3 days after establishment of the model, followed by intraperitoneal infusion of 50 μg·kg-1·h-1 for 5 h. The equal volume of normal saline was given instead in C and OJ groups.At 5 h after administration of dexmedetomidine, blood samples were collected from the heart for determination of serum concentrations of diamine oxidase(DAO)and tumor necrosis factor-alpha(TNF-α)by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.Then the rats were sacrificed and colon tissues were removed for microscopic examination of the pathological changes. Results Compared with group C, the serum DAO and TNF-α concentrations were significantly increased in OJ and D groups(P<0.05). Compared with group OJ, the serum DAO and TNF-α concentrations were significantly decreased in group D(P<0.05). The pathological changes were significantly attenuated in group D when compared with group OJ. Conclusion Dexmedetomidine can reduce the damage to intestinal mucous membrane of rats with obstructive jaundice. Key words: Dexmedetomidine; Jaundice, obstructive; Intestinal mucosa