Fig. 4

Effect of dexmedetomidine and propofol on colonic motility in vivo in endotoxemic mice. n = 6 per group. a. A schematic diagram of the colon. b. Dexmedetomidine had inhibitory effect on colonic transit time 15 mins after implement, and 24 h later, this inhibition didn’t exist anymore. c-e. Dexmedetomidine prevented excretion of feces. There was statistic difference between dexmedetomidine and saline in weight of feces, dry weight of feces and numbers of fecal pellets 15 mins after injection and there was no difference occurred 24 h after application between groups. Data were expressed as mean ± SD and analysed by one-way ANOVA or Kruskal–Wallis test. ^**P < 0.01, ^***P < 0.001, LPS + DEX vs LPS + NS. LPS, lipopolysaccharide. FE, fat emulsion. PPF, propofol. NS, normal saline. DEX, dexmedetomidine