The Role of Janus Kinase/Signal Transducer and Activator of Transcription Signalling on Preventing Intestinal Ischemia/Reperfusion Injury with Dexmedetomidine

Dexmedetomidine (Dex) works as a crucial agent for the treatment of intestinal ischemia/reperfusion (I/R), but its mechanism remains unclear. Recent articles demonstrated the pivotal role of Janus kinase/signal transducer and activator of transcription (JAK2/STAT3) signalling in I/R. Therefore, it is reasonable to explore the associated mechanism of JAK2/STAT3 signalling in Dex treatment. The study purpose was to evaluate the JAK2/STAT3 signalling regulatory mechanisms of Dex in preventing I/R. Anaesthetized rats were subjected to superior mesenteric artery occlusion consisting of 1 h of ischemia and 2 h of reperfusion while served as controls. Animals received subcutaneous administration of 50 μg/kg Dex, JAK1 and JAK2 inhibitor, Ruxolitinib, selective JAK2 inhibitor, 10 mg/kg AG490 or STAT inhibitor and 0.4 mg/kg rapamycin; or Dex-treatment in the presence of α2-adrenoceptor antagonists Atip or Dex-treatment alone after I/R. Injury was scored histologically, apoptosis was detected via the apoptotic mediators caspase-3 and Bcl-2/Bax and the degree of activation of the JAK/STAT pathway was evaluated. Dex inhibited I/R injury by decreasing apoptosis significantly with rescue of cleaved caspase-3 and the Bcl-2/Bax ratio. Furthermore, phosphorylation of JAK2, STAT1 and STAT3 was affected, suggesting the involvement of activated JAK/STAT in response to Dex. Meanwhile, the JAK2 or STAT inhibitors AG490 and rapamycin, but not Ruxolitinib, exhibited a similar but even greater JAK2 and STAT3 regulatory effect, thus leading to a greater benefit. JAK2/STAT3 activation is crucial to the diminishing effect of Dex on mesenteric I/R injury; however, the efficacy and timing of Dex administration should be considered in clinical practice.