Dexmedetomidine acts as an oxidative damage prophylactic in rats exposed to ionizing radiation

Abstract Study objective To investigate the effects of dexmedetomidine on oxidative injury caused by ionizing radiation. Design Randomized controlled experimental study. Setting Department of radiation oncology and research laboratory of an academic hospital. Interventions Twenty-eight rats were randomized to 4 groups (n=7 per group). Group S rats were administered physiologic serum; group SR rats were administered physiologic serum and 10 Gy external ionizing radiation. Groups D100 and D200 were administered 100 and 200 μg/kg dexmedetomidine intraperitoneally, respectively, 45 minutes before ionizing radiation. Measurements Liver, kidney, lung, and thyroid tissue and serum levels of antioxidant enzymes (glutathione peroxidase [GPX], superoxide dismutase, and catalase) and oxidative metabolites (advanced oxidation protein products, malondialdehyde, and nitrate/nitrite, and serum ischemia-modified albumin) were measured 6 hours postprocedure. Main results In group SR, IR decreased antioxidant enzyme levels and increased oxidative metabolite levels ( P P P P P P P P Conclusions Dexmedetomidine preserves the antioxidant enzyme levels and reduces toxic oxidant metabolites. Therefore, it can provide protection from oxidative injury caused by ionizing radiation.