Effect of dexmedetomidine on acute kidney injury in endotoxemic rats

Objective To investigate the effect of dexmedetomidine on acute kidney injury in endotoxemic rats. Methods Thirty adult male Sprague-Dawley rats, aged 4-6 months, weighing 180-220 g, were randomly divided into 3 groups (n= 10 each) using a random number table: control group (group C), lipopolysaccharide group (group L), and dexmedetomidine (group D). Lipopolysaccharide (LPS) 5 mg/kg was injected slowly into the femoral vein to establish the model of endotoxemic in rats anesthetized with chloral hydrate.In group D, after LPS injection, a loading dose of dexmedetomidine 7 μg/kg was injected intravenously, and 15 min later dexmedetomidine was infused for 6 h at 5 μg·kg-1·h-1, while the equal volume of normal saline was given in L and C groups.At 6 h after the end of LPS administration, blood samples were collected from the femoral vein for determination of serum creatinine (Cr), blood urea nitrogen (BUN), tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) and interleukin-6 (IL-6) concentrations.At 24 h after the end of LPS administration, the animals were sacrificed and kidneys were removed for microscopic examination and for determination of the expression of tight junction proteins ZO-1 and occludin in renal tissues by Western blot. Results Compared with group C, the serum Cr, BUN, TNF-α and IL-6 concentrations were significantly increased, and the expression of ZO-1 and occluding was down-regulated in L and D groups.Compared with group L, the serum Cr, BUN, TNF-α and IL-6 concentrations were significantly decreased, the expression of ZO-1 and occluding was up-regulated, and the pathological changes of kidneys were mitigated in D group. Conclusion Dexmedetomidine can alleviate acute kidney injury in endotoxemic rats. Key words: Dexmedetomidine; Endotoxemia; Kidney