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Effects of dexmedetomidine or methylprednisolone on inflammatory responses in spinal cord injury
Author(s) -
CAN M.,
GUL S.,
BEKTAS S.,
HANCI V.,
ACIKGOZ S.
Publication year - 2009
Publication title -
acta anaesthesiologica scandinavica
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.738
H-Index - 107
eISSN - 1399-6576
pISSN - 0001-5172
DOI - 10.1111/j.1399-6576.2009.02019.x
Subject(s) - dexmedetomidine , medicine , methylprednisolone , anesthesia , laminectomy , spinal cord injury , spinal cord , corticosteroid , sedation , psychiatry
Background: The aim of this study was to compare the anti‐inflammatory response of methylprednisolone and the α2‐agonist dexmedetomidine in spinal cord injury (SCI). Methods: Twenty‐four male adult Wistar albino rats, weight 200–250 g, were included in the study. The rats were divided into four groups as follows: the control group ( n : 6) received only laminectomy; the SCI group ( n : 6) with trauma alone; the SCI+methylprednisolone group ( n : 6) with trauma and 30 mg/kg methylprednisolone, followed by a maintenance dose of 5.4 mg/kg/h; and the SCI+dexmedetomidine group ( n : 6) with trauma and 10 μg/kg dexmedetomidine treatment intraperitoneally. Twenty‐four hours after the trauma, spinal cord samples were taken for histopathological examination and serum samples were collected for interleukin‐6 (IL‐6) and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)‐α measurement. Results: TNF‐α ( P =0.009) and IL‐6 ( P =0.009) levels were significantly increased in the SCI group. TNF‐α and IL‐6 levels were significantly decreased with methylprednisolone ( P =0.002, 0.002) and dexmedetomidine ( P =0.002, 0.009) treatment, respectively. Methylprednisolone and dexmedetomidine treatment reduced neutrophils' infiltration in SCI. Conclusions: The current study does not clarify the definitive mechanism by which dexmedetomidine decreases inflammatory cytokines but it is the first study to report the anti‐inflammatory effect of dexmedetomidine in SCI. Further studies are required to elucidate the effects of dexmedetomidine on the inflammatory response.