Alpha2-adrenoreceptor agonist, dexmedetomidine, alters acute gene expression after global ischemia in gerbils.
The effect of dexmedetomidine, a selective alpha2-adrenoreceptor agonist and neuroprotective agent on the expression of immediate early genes and heat shock protein hsp70, was studied using quantitative in situ hybridization in a global ischemia model. At the dose previously shown to be neuroprotective dexmedetomidine inhibited the expression of c-fos and hsp70 mRNA, did not affect jun-B mRNA, and enhanced the induction of NGFI-A mRNA in the postischemic gerbil hippocampus. The reduced gene expression of c-fos and hsp70 was detected in the CA1 pyramidal cells which are prone to ischemic degeneration, whereas the increased gene expression of NGFI-A was measured from the CA3 and dentate gyrus, areas relatively resistant to ischemia. These alterations in early gene expression possibly reflect the mechanisms mediating the neuroprotective effects of alpha2-adrenoreceptor agonists.
Wittner
M
M
Department of Neurology, University of Kuopio, Finland.
Sivenius
J
J
Koistinaho
J
J
D058647:Adrenergic alpha-2 Receptor Agonists; D000316:Adrenergic alpha-Agonists / Q000494:pharmacology*; D000818:Animals; D004268:DNA-Binding Proteins / Q000378:metabolism; D005786:Gene Expression Regulation; D005849:Gerbillinae; D018840:HSP70 Heat-Shock Proteins / Q000378:metabolism; D006624:Hippocampus / Q000378:metabolism; D007093:Imidazoles / Q000494:pharmacology*; D017403:In Situ Hybridization; D007511:Ischemia / Q000378:metabolism*; D020926:Medetomidine; D016760:Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-fos / Q000378:metabolism*; D014157:Transcription Factors / Q000378:metabolism
D058647:Adrenergic alpha-2 Receptor Agonists; D000316:Adrenergic alpha-Agonists; D004268:DNA-Binding Proteins; D018840:HSP70 Heat-Shock Proteins; D007093:Imidazoles; D016760:Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-fos; D014157:Transcription Factors; D020926:Medetomidine