Role of dexmedetomidine in IL-4 and IFN-γ expression in rats with multiple organ dysfunction syndrome induced by postpartum bleeding

Abstract

Bleeding-induced multiple organ dysfunction syndrome (MODS) is one of the major causes of death in pregnant women. MODS is thought to result from an inappropriate generalized host inflammatory response to a variety of acute insults. In this study we established a MODS model in postpartum rats, in which MODS was induced by the combination of induced hypotension for 60 min and clamping of the superior mesenteric artery for a period of 40 min. We sacrificed all the rats 24 h after dexmedetomidine (DEX) treatment. Thymus, spleen, and mesenteric lymph node tissue were collected to detect interferon-γ (IFN-γ) and interleukin-4 (IL-4) protein expression; lung and intestine tissue were collected to measure IFN-γ and IL-4 gene expression. In the present study, IFN-γ and IL-4 mRNA were increased in the lungs and intestines of the MODS rats. DEX administration decreased IFN-γ and IL-4 mRNA expression. IFN-γ and IL-4 expression for the thymus, spleen, and mesenteric lymph nodes were higher in the MODS postpartum rats relative to control rats, and these expression levels decreased upon DEX administration, But there were no significant differences between DEX doses. In conclusion DEX administration appeared to reduce IFN-γ and IL-4 protein expression in thymus, spleen, and mesenteric lymph node tissue and reduce IFN-γ and IL-4 gene expression in the lungs and intestines in the MODS postpartum rats but was not dose-dependent.