Gold Nanoparticles with Dexmedetomidine Regulate GSK-3β to Reduce Neurocognitive Effects in Anesthetized Rats

The aim of this study was to explore the neurocognitive effects of dexmedetomidine-loaded gold nanoparticles (AuNPs-dexmedetomidine) on anesthetized rats. Sixty Sprague Dawley rats (age, 2-3 weeks; weight, 250-280 g) were randomly divided into three groups (n = 20): the control group and two groups that received intraperitoneal injection of AuNPs-dexmedetomidine at 50 and 100 μg/kg each. Western blotting and RT-PCR were used to determine the protein and mRNA expression of GSK-3β, respectively. Compared with that in the control group, GSK-3β expression in AuNP-dexmedetomidine groups increased (P < 0.05). The protein expression of GSK-3β was higher and mRNA expression was significantly lower in the 100 μg/kg AuNP-dexmedetomidine group (P < 0.05). AuNPs-dexmedetomidine reduced the neurocognitive effect on anesthetized rats through the regulation of the GSK-3β signaling pathway.