Fig. 6

Effect of dexmedetomidine or propofol on the whole part of gastrointestinal motility in endotoxemic mice. n = 6 per group. Transit histogram for the distribution of non-absorbable fluorescein isothiocyanate through the intestinal segments 15 mins (a-d) and 24 h (e-h) after administration sedatives/vehicles (St, stomach; S, small intestine; Ce, cecum; C, colon). i. A schematic diagram of the whole gastrointestinal tract. 15 mins after treatment, dexmedetomidine depressed the whole gastrointestinal motility that showed smaller geometic center (j.) and longer latency of the first blue feces expulsion(k.). Results of these two tests were similar between groups 24 h after administration. Data were expressed as mean ± SD and analysed by one-way ANOVA or Kruskal–Wallis test. ^*P < 0.05, ^***P < 0.001, LPS + DEX vs LPS + NS. ^#P < 0.05, ^###P < 0.001, LPS + DEX vs LPS + PPF. LPS, lipopolysaccharide. FE, fat emulsion. PPF, propofol. NS, normal saline. DEX, dexmedetomidine