Dexmedetomidine alleviates inflammation in neuropathic pain by suppressing NLRP3 via Nrf2 activation

The aim of the present study was to investigate mechanism by which dexmedetomidine (DEX) alleviates neuropathic pain in a chronic constriction injury (CCI) model rats. A CCI rat established through sciatic nerve ligation. rats were treated with DEX, nuclear factor erythroid 2?related 2 (Nrf2) inhibitor ML385, NLR family pyrin domain containing 3 (NLRP3) antagonist MCC950 and/or NLRP3 activator nigericin. mechanical withdrawal threshold (MWT) measured assess sensitivity Hematoxylin and eosin staining TUNEL used examine spinal apoptosis, respectively. ELISA quantify levels inflammatory factors. expression Nrf2 also examined. results indicated that decrease MWT increases cord injury, apoptosis factors detected compared control Spinal inflammation abrogated DEX?treated Compared group, an increase decreases MCC950, while opposite effects observed on these indicators DEX + ML385 groups groups, increased, decreased nigericin group group. In summary, reduced suppressing activation.