Abstract
Background. Dexmedetomidine (DEX) has neuro-protective effects, but the clinical mechanism remains unclear.Method. Forty patients were randomly divided into two groups: group A (control) and group B (treated with DEX). Plasma concentrations of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) were determined in blood samples using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays at five time points: T1 (baseline), T2 (15 minutes after intubation and before the surgery was started), T3 (the end of surgery), T4 (10 minutes after extubation in the post-anesthesia care unit), and T5 (24 hours after the surgery). Changes in bispect (BIS) index, heart rates, and doses of anesthetics used for induction were also recorded.Results. Baseline plasma concentrations of BDNF did not differ between group A and group B; 15 minutes after induction, concentrations of plasma BDNF were significantly reduced in group A. Twenty-four hours after surgery, the concentration was still higher in group B than in group A. In contrast, plasma concentrations of BDNF at other time points tested did not differ between the two groups.Conclusion. It appears that DEX could reverse the reduced plasma concentrations of BDNF caused by anesthetics, and this effect lasted for 24 hours after surgery.
Highlights
As a member of the neurotrophin family of growthpromoting proteins, brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) plays an important role in neuronal survival, axon growth, and synaptic plasticity [1]
At the time point of skin closure, the BDNF plasma concentration increased to 167.3 ± 19.9 pg/ml and remained high (154.9 ± 28.6 pg/ml) 5 minutes after extubation
Both at skin closure and 10 minutes after the extubation, BDNF plasma concentrations increased to 165.3 ± 34.9 pg/ml and 164.8 ± 29.4 pg/ml, but there were no differences between the two groups
Summary
As a member of the neurotrophin family of growthpromoting proteins, brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) plays an important role in neuronal survival, axon growth, and synaptic plasticity [1]. It has been proven clinically that perioperative use of anesthetics could lead to decreased plasma concentrations of BDNF in patients [8]. Plasma concentrations of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) were determined in blood samples using enzymelinked immunosorbent assays at five time points: T1 (baseline), T2 (15 minutes after intubation and before the surgery was started), T3 (the end of surgery), T4 (10 minutes after extubation in the post-anesthesia care unit), and T5 (24 hours after the surgery). Baseline plasma concentrations of BDNF did not differ between group A and group B; 15 minutes after induction, concentrations of plasma BDNF were significantly reduced in group A. It appears that DEX could reverse the reduced plasma concentrations of BDNF caused by anesthetics, and this effect lasted for 24 hours after surgery
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