Dexmedetomidine regulates sleep rhythm and alleviates neuroinflammation in rats under high-altitude hypoxia.

ABSTRACT: High-altitude hypoxia (HH) significantly affects mammalian physiological functions, especially sleep rhythms, anxiety-like behavior, and neuroinflammation. In this study, adult male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly assigned to five groups: Control, HH, HH with low-dose dexmedetomidine (Dex), HH with high-dose Dex, and Control with Dex. Rats were exposed to a simulated 6000-meter altitude for 7 days. Behavioral tests, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), reverse transcription quantitative PCR (RT-qPCR), and Western blotting were used to assess hormone levels, gene/protein expression, and inflammatory markers. HH exposure elevated hypothalamic serotonin (5-hydroxytryptamine, 5-HT) and reduced melatonin levels. The sleep rhythm-related gene Timeless was downregulated, while Homer1 was

SUBMITTER: Liu S 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12738677 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature