Fig. 1

Dexmedetomidine-induced neuroprotection after brain I/R. a Rats were pretreated with normal saline, dexmedetomidine or yohimbine before transient middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO, 90 min occlusion). Brain sections were achieved and staining with TTC after 72 h reperfusion. b Percentage of infarct volume of right hemisphere over ipsilateral hemisphere. c Edema index was calculated though right/left hemisphere volume. d Percentage of hemorrhagic volume of right hemisphere over ipsilateral hemisphere. e Neurological deficit scores. Between lines, 95% interval of the data; inside boxes, 25–75% interval. f Rats were tested before and 3 days after the MCAO and the speed–latency index ratio of these two tests were analyzed. Results except panel E were presented with mean ± SD (n = 10) and analyzed using One-way ANOVA followed by Tukey’s multiple comparisons test. *P < 0.05, **P < 0.001. NS, normal saline. DEX, dexmedetomidine. YOH, yohimbine. TTC, 2,3,5-triphenyl-tetrazolium chloride