{Reference Type}: Journal Article
{Title}: Dexmedetomidine facilitates autophagic flux to promote liver regeneration by suppressing GSK3β activity in mouse partial hepatectomy.
{Author}: Yao X;Liu Y;Sui Y;Zheng M;Zhu L;Li Q;Irwin MG;Yang L;Zhan Q;Xiao J;
{Journal}: Biomed Pharmacother
{Volume}: 177
{Issue}: 0
{Year}: 2024 Aug 12
{Factor}: 7.419
{DOI}: 10.1016/j.biopha.2024.117038
{Abstract}: <B>BACKGROUND: </B>Dexmedetomidine (DEX), a highly selective α2-adrenergic receptor agonist, is widely used for sedation and anesthesia in patients undergoing hepatectomy. However, the effect of DEX on autophagic flux and liver regeneration remains unclear.<BR><B>OBJECTIVE: </B>This study aimed to determine the role of DEX in hepatocyte autophagic flux and liver regeneration after PHx.<BR><B>METHODS: </B>In mice, DEX was intraperitoneally injected 5 min before and 6 h after PHx. In vitro, DEX was co-incubated with culture medium for 24 h. Autophagic flux was detected by LC3-II and SQSTM1 expression levels in primary mouse hepatocytes and the proportion of red puncta in AML-12 cells transfected with FUGW-PK-hLC3 plasmid. Liver regeneration was assessed by cyclinD1 expression, Edu incorporation, H&E staining, ki67 immunostaining and liver/body ratios. Bafilomycin A1, si-GSK3β and Flag-tagged GSK3β, α2-ADR antagonist, GSK3β inhibitor, AKT inhibitor were used to identify the role of GSK3β in DEX-mediated autophagic flux and hepatocyte proliferation.<BR><B>RESULTS: </B>Pre- and post-operative DEX treatment promoted liver regeneration after PHx, showing 12 h earlier than in DEX-untreated mice, accompanied by facilitated autophagic flux, which was completely abolished by bafilomycin A1 or α2-ADR antagonist. The suppression of GSK3β activity by SB216763 and si-GSK3β enhanced the effect of DEX on autophagic flux and liver regeneration, which was abolished by AKT inhibitor.<BR><B>CONCLUSIONS: </B>Pre- and post-operative administration of DEX facilitates autophagic flux, leading to enhanced liver regeneration after partial hepatectomy through suppression of GSK3β activity in an α2-ADR-dependent manner.