Fig. 3

Effect of dexmedetomidine and propofol on upper gastrointestinal motility in endotoxemic mice. n = 6 per group. a. A schematic diagram of the stomach that examined in B. b. Dexmedetomidine inhibited gastric emptying of endotoxemic mice 15 mins after application compared with saline and propofol, and this depression disappeared 24 h after injection. c. A schematic diagram of the small intestine that examined in D. d. Dexmedetomidine but not propofol decreased small intestinal transit 15 mins after administration and this inhibition reversed 24 h after injection. e. Representative photographs showing small intestinal transit was measured by recording the migration of Evans blue (red arrows) 15 mins after application. Data were expressed as mean ± SD and analysed by one-way ANOVA or Kruskal–Wallis tests. ^**P < 0.01, LPS + DEX vs LPS + NS; ^##P < 0.01, LPS + DEX vs LPS + PPF. LPS, lipopolysaccharide. FE, fat emulsion. PPF, propofol. NS, normal saline. DEX, dexmedetomidine