Comparison of dexmedetomidine versus ketamine's effects on rat cardiac ischemia/reperfusion injury

Depending on the duration of ischemia, reactive oxygen species related cellular injury may occur after I/R injury of various ethiology (MI, after percutaneous coronary intervention, during cardiac surgery). After that, free oxygen radicals increasing within the cell cause structural deterioration.Cytokines which activates a series of reactions that cause tissue damage and inflammatory response are released during reperfusion of ischemic tissues. In this study, we aimed to compare the effects of dexmedetomidine and ketamine on Ischemia/reperfusion injury.Eighteen rats are divided into three groups randomly, Group I/R (n=6):control, Group I/R-K (n=6): ketamine, and Group I/R-D (n=6): dexmedetomidine. Heart tissue samples were obtained following 45 minutes of ischemia and 120 minutes of reperfusion period for assessing MDA, SOD, GSH-Px, IL-1ß, TNF-? levels. Hemodynamic parameters were also compared.MDA ve GSH-Px levels were significantly higher in control group than ketamine and dexmedetomidine groups, however both parameters were similar in ketamine and dexmedetomidine groups.SOD levels were significantly lower in ketamine and dexmedetomidine groups than the control group. However, they were similar between ketamine and dexmedetomidine groups.IL-1ß levels were similar in all groups.TNF-? levels were significantly lower in ketamine and dexmedetomidine groups compared to control group. However, they were similar between ketamine and dexmedetomidine groups.Dexmedetomidine provides better heart rate control but causes hypotension. Therefore we believe taht its clinical use needs special attention because of this cardidepressant effects. It was concluded that dexmedetomidine and ketamine had similar effects on reducing myocardial ischemia reperfusion injury.