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  • Title: Dexmedetomidine protects against apoptosis induced by hypoxia/reoxygenation through the inhibition of gap junctions in NRK-52E cells.
    Author: Luo C, Yuan D, Yao W, Cai J, Zhou S, Zhang Y, Hei Z.
    Journal: Life Sci; 2015 Feb 01; 122():72-7. PubMed ID: 25529146.
    Abstract:
    AIMS: The α2-adrenoceptor inducer dexmedetomidine (Dex) provides renoprotection against ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury, but the mechanism of this effect is largely unknown. The present study investigated the effect of Dex on apoptosis induced by hypoxia/reoxygenation (H/R) and the relationship between this effect and gap junction intercellular communication (GJIC). MAIN METHODS: In vitro, two cell lines of normal rat kidney proximal tubular cells (NRK-52E) and HeLa cells that were transfected with a connexin 32 (Cx32) plasmid were exposed to H/R. The role of Dex in the modulation of H/R-induced apoptosis was explored by the manipulation of connexin expression, and hence gap junction (GJ) function, using a GJIC inhibitor, heptanol, and a GJIC inducer, retinoic acid. GJ function and the Cx32 protein level were determined by the parachute dye-coupling assay and Western blotting, respectively. KEY FINDINGS: Dex and heptanol significantly reduced H/R-induced apoptosis in NRK-52E cells. The anti-apoptosis effect of Dex was exhibited only in Cx32-expressing HeLa cells. One hour Dex exposure inhibited GJ function mainly via a decrease in Cx32 protein levels in NRK-52E cells. SIGNIFICANCE: Our data suggest that Dex reduced H/R-induced apoptosis through the inhibition of GJ activity by reducing Cx32 protein levels.
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