Abstract: Objective To explore the effect of the dexamethasone on the levels of cytokine in the brain of endotoxin shock rats. Methods 54 Sprague-Dawley rats were randomized to the sham group, LPS group (lipopolysaccharide 8 mg/kg, i.v.) and DEX group (dexamethasone 5 mg/kg, i.v., in addition). The blood pressure was measured dynamically. The contents of interleukin (IL)-4, IL-10 and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α were detected with ELISA 1 h, 3 h, 6 h after shock. Results As the occurrence and development of shock, blood pressure went down gradually, IL-4 and IL-10 decreased (P<0.01), and TNF-α increased (P<0.01) in LPS group, while the TNF-α decreased (P<0.01), the IL-4 and IL-10 increased (P<0.01) in the DEX group compared with the LPS group. Conclusion Dexamethasone may protect the brain from the endotoxin shock injury in rats through regulating the inflammatory factor.

Key words: endotoxin shock, brain injury, dexamethasone, cytokine, rats