Effects of local dexmedetomidine administration on the neurotoxicity of ropivacaine for sciatic nerve block in rats.

Effects of local dexmedetomidine administration on the neurotoxicity of ropivacaine for sciatic nerve block in rats. Mol Med Rep. 2020 Nov;22(5):4360-4366 Authors: Xue X, Fan J, Ma X, Liu Y, Han X, Leng Y, Yu J Abstract Dexmedetomidine, used as an adjuvant to local anesthetics (LAs), may prolong the duration of peripheral nerve block. However, the effect of dexmedetomidine on the neurotoxicity of LAs is not completely understood. The present study was designed to investigate the efficacy of two doses of dexmedetomidine as an adjuvant to ropivacaine and its protective effect against the neurotoxicity of LAs. Paw withdrawal thermal latency testing was used to detect the sensory blockade. Extensor postural thrust testing was used to detect the motor blockade. The results demonstrated that the addition of dexmedetomidine to ropivacaine prolonged the duration of sensory and motor blockade in a dose‑dependent manner compared with ropivacaine alone. TUNEL staining was performed to examine apoptosis. Western blotting was used to detect the Cleaved caspase‑3 expression levels. The results showed that the addition of dexmedetomidine to ropivacaine decreased the rate of apoptosis and caspase‑3 expression levels in a dose‑dependent manner compared with ropivacaine alone (P<0.05). In addition, the rate of apoptosis and caspase‑3 expression levels were significantly lower in the high‑dose dexmedetomidine group compared with the lowâ...
Source: Molecular Medicine Reports - Category: Molecular Biology Tags: Mol Med Rep Source Type: research