Dexmedetomidine reduces ventilator-induced lung injury via ERK1/2 pathway activation.

Mechanical ventilation (MV) can contribute to ventilator‑induced lung injury (VILI); dexmedetomidine (Dex) treatment attenuates MV‑related pulmonary inflammation, but the mechanisms remain unclear. Therefore, the present study aimed to explore the protective effect and the possible molecular mechanisms of Dex in a VILI rodent model. Adult male Sprague‑Dawley rats were randomly assigned to one of seven groups (n=24 rats/group).