Dexmedetomidine Improves Anxiety-like Behaviors in Sleep-Deprived Mice by Inhibiting the p38/MSK1/NFκB Pathway and Reducing Inflammation and Oxidative Stress

(1) Background: Sleep deprivation (SD) triggers a range of neuroinflammatory responses. Dexmedetomidine can improve sleep deprivation-induced anxiety by reducing response but the mechanism is unclear; (2) Methods: The model was established using an interference rod device. An open field test and elevated plus maze were used to detect emotional behavior mice. Mouse cortical tissues subjected RNA sequence (RNA-seq) analysis. Western blotting immunofluorescence expression p38/p-p38, MSK1/p-MSK1, NFκBp65/p- NFκBp65. Inflammatory cytokines detected enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA); (3) Results: SD triggered anxiety-like behaviors in mice closely associated with inflammatory responses MAPK pathway (as demonstrated transcriptome analysis). led increased levels p-p38, p-MSK1, p-NFκB. P38 inhibitor SB203580 confirm important role p38/MSK1/NFκB SD-induced neuroinflammation. (Dex) effectively improves sleep-deprived attenuating oxidative stress cerebral cortex, mainly inhibiting activation pathway; (4) Conclusions: Dex inhibits pathway, thus cortex