Abstract

The aim was to investigate how the PI3K/Akt pathway is involved in the protection of dexmedetomidine against propofol. The hippocampal neurons from fetal rats were separated and cultured in a neurobasal medium. Cell viability was assayed by 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay. Then neurons were pretreated with different concentrations of dexmedetomidine before 100 μmol/L propofol was added. Akt, phospho-Akt (p-Akt), Bad, phospho-Bad (p-Bad), and Bcl-xL were detected by Western blot. Also, neurons were pretreated with dexmedetomidine alone or given the inhibitor LY294002 before dexmedetomidine pretreatment, and then propofol was added for 3 h. The results demonstrated that propofol decreased the cell viability and the expression of p-Akt and p-Bad proteins, increased the level of Bad, and reduced the ratio of Bcl-xL/Bad. Dexmedetomidine pretreatment could reverse these effects. The enhancement of p-Akt and p-Bad induced by dexmedetomidine was prevented by LY294002. These results showed that dexmedetomidine potently protected the developing neuron and this protection may be partly mediated by the PI3K/Akt pathway.

Talk to us

Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have

Schedule a call

Disclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.