The alpha-2 receptor agonist dexmedetomidine attenuates vancomycin‑induced acute kidney injury.

OBJECTIVE

This study was conducted to evaluate the protective effect of dexmedetomidine on nephrotoxicity and the mechanism of renoprotection following vancomycin-induced nephrotoxicity in rats.

METHODS

Thirty-two albino Wistar rats were divided into four groups. The control group received intraperitoneal (IP) physiological saline solution, the vancomycin (VMC) group received IP 200 mg/kg vancomycin, the dexmedetomidine (DEX) group received IP 5 µg/kg dexmedetomidine, and the vancomycin and dexmedetomidine (VMC+DEX) group received IP 200 mg/kg vancomycin followed by IP 5 µg/kg dexmedetomidine 20 min after the vancomycin injection. On the 8th day of the experiment, histopathological and biochemical parameters were assessed.

RESULTS

Creatinine levels were significantly higher in VMC and VMC+DEX groups. The endothelin-1 level was significantly higher in VMC group. Nitric oxide levels were statistically lower in VMC and VMC+DEX groups. Histopathologic assessments revealed that the extent of renal damage was significantly higher in group VMC (n = 4 with damage of Grade 3) compared to group VMC+DEX (n = 0 with damage of Grade 3).

CONCLUSION

It was determined that dexmedetomidine can reduce the extent of renal damage by preventing the elevation of vasoconstrictor agents (Tab. 2, Fig. 1, Ref. 36).