Anesthesiology
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Dexmedetomidine reduces cytokine production in septic patients and reduces inflammation and mortality in experimental models of endotoxemia and sepsis. This study investigated whether dexmedetomidine attenuates endothelial dysfunction, intestinal microcirculatory dysfunction, and intestinal epithelial barrier disruption in endotoxemic rats. ⋯ The study finding suggests that dexmedetomidine protects against intestinal epithelial barrier disruption in endotoxemic rats by attenuating intestinal microcirculatory dysfunction and reducing mucosal cell death and tight junctional damage. (Anesthesiology 2016; 125:355-67).