title: Dexmedetomidine May Produce Extra Protective Effects on Sepsis-induced Diaphragm Injury.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The objective was to evaluate the protective effects of dexmedetomidine (DEX), a selective agonist of α2-adrenergic receptor, on sepsis-induced diaphragm injury and the underlying molecular mechanisms.
  
  
  METHODS
  The data used in this review were mainly from PubMed articles published in English from 1990 to 2015.
  
  
  METHODS
  Clinical or basic research articles were selected mainly according to their level of relevance to this topic.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Sepsis could induce severe diaphragm dysfunction and exacerbate respiratory weakness. The mechanism of sepsis-induced diaphragm injury includes the increased inflammatory cytokines and excessive oxidative stress and superfluous production of nitric oxide (NO). DEX can reduce inflammatory cytokines, inhibit nuclear factor-kappaB signaling pathways, suppress the activation of caspase-3, furthermore decrease oxidative stress and inhibit NO synthase. On the basis of these mechanisms, DEX may result in a shorter period of mechanical ventilation in septic patients in clinical practice.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Based on this current available evidence, DEX may produce extra protective effects on sepsis-induced diaphragm injury. Further direct evidence and more specific studies are still required to confirm these beneficial effects.
authors.forename: Jin
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Wu
authors.affiliation: Department of Anesthesiology, First People's Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiaotong University, Shanghai 200080, China.
authors.forename: Shi-Tong
authors.initials: ST
authors.lastname: Li
mesh_terms: D020927:Dexmedetomidine / Q000494:pharmacology*; D003964:Diaphragm / Q000187:drug effects / Q000293:injuries*; D006801:Humans; D018805:Sepsis / Q000150:complications*
chemical_list: D020927:Dexmedetomidine