Effect of dexmedetomidine on blood T cell proliferation, T cell subsets and phagocytic function of alveolar macrophages in young rats subjected to splenectomy

Abstract

Purpose: To study the effect of dexmedetomidine on blood T cell proliferation, T cell subsets and phagocytosis of alveolar macrophages in young rats undergoing splenectomy. Methods: Fifty-four healthy male rats were used for the establishment of an animal model of splenectomy. The young rats were randomly assigned to control, model (untreated) and medication groups, each with 18 rats. The rats in the control and model groups were given physiological saline at a dose of 10 ml/kg, while those in the treatment group were injected with dexmedetomidine at a dose of 50 µg/kg. All treatments were given intraperitoneally (i.p.). T cell proliferation, T cell subset level, phagocytic index and degree of phagocytosis of alveolar macrophages were compared among the rat groups. Results: Relative to control, CD4+, CD8+ and CD4+/CD8+ levels in model and medication groups decreased significantly (p < 0.05). CD4+ and CD8+ levels were lower in the medication group than in model group. Phagocytic index and degree of phagocytosis of alveolar macrophages in model and medication groups were significantly lower than those in the control group, while phagocytic index and degree of phagocytosis of alveolar macrophages in the medication group of rats were smaller than those in model rats (p < 0.05). Conclusion: Dexmedetomidine significantly reduces immune function in splenectomy rats. However, it should be used with caution in patients with splenectomy