Dexmedetomidine-Induced Stimulation of Glutamine Oxidation in Astrocytes: A Possible Mechanism for its Neuroprotective Activity

Abstract

Dexmedetomidine is a highly specific α2-adrenergic agonist, which is used clinically as an anesthetic adjuvant and in animal experiments has a neuroprotective effect during ischemia. The current study showed that dexmedetomidine enhances glutamine disposal by oxidative metabolism in astrocytes. This effect occurs at pharmacologically relevant concentrations. It is exerted on α2-adrenergic receptors and not on imidazoline-preferring sites, and it is large enough to reduce the availability of glutamine as a precursor of neurotoxic glutamate.