BMC Neurology (Apr 2012)

Dexmedetomidine is neuroprotective in an <it>in vitro </it>model for traumatic brain injury

  • Schoeler Marc,
  • Loetscher Philip D,
  • Rossaint Rolf,
  • Fahlenkamp Astrid V,
  • Eberhardt Georg,
  • Rex Steffen,
  • Weis Joachim,
  • Coburn Mark

DOI
https://doi.org/10.1186/1471-2377-12-20
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 12, no. 1
p. 20

Abstract

Read online

Abstract Background The α2-adrenoreceptor agonist dexmedetomidine is known to provide neuroprotection under ischemic conditions. In this study we investigated whether dexmedetomidine has a protective effect in an in vitro model for traumatic brain injury. Methods Organotypic hippocampal slice cultures were subjected to a focal mechanical trauma and then exposed to varying concentrations of dexmedetomidine. After 72 h cell injury was assessed using propidium iodide. In addition, the effects of delayed dexmedetomidine application, of hypothermia and canonical signalling pathway inhibitors were examined. Results Dexmedetomidine showed a protective effect on traumatically injured hippocampal cells with a maximum effect at a dosage of 1 μM. This effect was partially reversed by the simultaneous administration of the ERK inhibitor PD98059. Conclusion In this TBI model dexmedetomidine had a significant neuroprotective effect. Our results indicate that activation of ERK might be involved in mediating this effect.

Keywords