European cytokine network
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European cytokine network · Sep 2019
Dexmedetomidine alleviates hepatic injury via the inhibition of oxidative stress and activation of the Nrf2/HO-1 signaling pathway.
Dexmedetomidine (Dex), frequently used as an effective sedative, was reported to play a critical role in the protection of multiple organs. However, its underlying mechanism of a putative protective effect on ischemia/reperfusion (I/R)-induced liver injury is still unclear. A hepatocyte injury model was established by treating WRL-68 cells with oxygen and glucose deprivation/reoxygenation (OGD/R). ⋯ Moreover, Nrf2, HO-1, and Bcl-2 expression was upregulated, whereas, in contrast, transcripts for Bax, caspase3, and caspase9 were downregulated following Dex treatment under OGD/R. Knockdown of Nrf2 reversed the Dex effects on cell proliferation, apoptosis, and expression of TNF-α, IL-6, IL-1β, ROS, MDA, SOD, and GSH-Px. Dex protects WRL-68 cells against OGD/R-induced injury by inhibiting inflammation, oxidative stress, and cell apoptosis via the activation of Nrf2/HO-1 signaling pathway, suggesting that Dex may be a potential protector against hepatic injury.