Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a prevalent
neurodegenerative disorder characterized by
neuroinflammation.
Dexmedetomidine (Dex) is known for its neuroprotective properties in clinical settings. In this study, we investigated the potential of Dex in protecting against
neuroinflammation in an AD mouse model induced by
amyloid-beta (Aβ) injection. First, in the AD mouse model, Aβ injection were administered, and the model was confirmed through behavioral tests, including the Morris water maze and Y-maze. Neuroinflammatory states in Aβ-injected mice were assessed using
hematoxylin and
eosin staining and
enzyme-linked
immunosorbent assay. Expression levels of
microRNA (miR)-204-3p and F-box/LRR-repeat
protein 7 (FBXL7) in mouse tissues were determined through real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction and Western blot. The binding interaction between miR-204-3p and FBXL7 was elucidated using dual-
luciferase analysis. Aβ-injected mice exhibited
cognitive impairment,
neuroinflammation, and downregulated miR-204-3p. Upregulation of miR-204-3p reduced inflammatory infiltration and mitigated
neuroinflammation in Aβ-injected mice. Dex treatment reduced
inflammation in hippocampal tissues of Aβ-injected mice. Dex treatment upregulated miR-204-3p, leading to suppressed FBXL7 expression in tissues. Inhibition of miR-204-3p or overexpression of FBXL7 reversed the alleviating effect of Dex on
neuroinflammation in Aβ-injected mice. Overall, Dex increased miR-204-3p expression, resulting in the inhibition of FBXL7, and subsequently alleviated
neuroinflammation in Aβ-injected mice.