The dual effects of dexmedetomidine on intestinal barrier and intestinal motility during sepsis.

Background: Sepsis, characterized by dysregulated host responses to infection, remains a critical global health concern, with high morbidity and mortality rates. The gastrointestinal tract assumes a pivotal role in sepsis due to its dual functionality as a protective barrier against injurious agents and as a regulator of motility. Dexmedetomidine, an α2-adrenergic agonist commonly employed in critical care settings, exhibits promise in influencing the maintenance of intestinal barrier integrity during sepsis.

Resuscitation with hydroxyethyl starch 130/0.4 attenuates intestinal injury in a rabbit model of sepsis.

Objective: Improvement of mucosal barrier function and reduction of bacterial translocation are important in the management of sepsis. The mechanisms that underlie the protective effects of colloids on the intestinal mucosal barrier are unclear. The study aims to investigate the effect of fluid resuscitation with hydroxyethyl starch (HES) 130/0.