Abstract
Objective To investigate the neuroprotective effects of maternal preconditioning with dexmedetomidine (Dex) on hypoxic/ischemic brain injury of fetal rats in the uterus. Methods A total of 45 pregnant SD rats were randomly divided into 3 groups: a Dex group, a hypoxic/ischemic group and a sham group. Both the Dex and hypoxic/ischemic groups were subjected to temporary clamping of the arteries within the uterine to simulate intrauterine hypoxic/ischemic state, while Dex or normal saline were administered half an hour before clamping. Meanwhile, the sham group was not subjected to uterine artery clamping. Then, the mortality of neonatal rats was calculated in each group. The brain was taken from one survived neonatal rat of each group to observe the apoptotic cells by TUNEL test and the level of caspase-3 by Western blot. Results Compared to the Dex and sham groups, the hypoxic/ischemic group showed higher neonatal mortality (P<0.05), significant neuron apoptosis, and a down-regulated level of caspase-3. Conclusions Maternal preconditioning with Dex can provide neuroprotective effects on fetal rats with hypoxic/ischemic injury in the uterus through suppressing neuron apoptosis. Key words: Dexmedetomidine; Preconditioning; Immature brain; Hypoxic/ischemic brain injury; Neuroprotection
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