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Objective To investigate the role of spinal hyperpolarization-activated cyclic nucleotide-gated (HCN) channels in dexmedetomidine-produced antinociceptic effect.Methods In vivo experiment Thirty wild type C57BL/6J mice and 30 HCN1 gene knockout (HCN1-/-) mice, aged 2-3 months, weighing 19-25 g, were randomly divided into 5 groups (n=6 each) using a random number table: control group (group C), and dexmedetomidine 10, 20, 30 and 40 μg/kg groups (Dex10, Dex20,Dex30 and Dex40 groups).In Dex10, Dex20, Dex30 and Dex40 groups, dexmedetomidine 10, 20, 30 and 40 μg/kg were intraperitoneally injected, respectively.The equal volume of normal saline was given in group C.Before dexmedetomidine administration, and at 15, 30, 45, 60, 75, 90, 105 and 120 min after dexmedetomidine administration, tail flick latency to a thermal nociceptive stimulus was measured, and the percentage of the maximum possible effect (MPE％) was calculated.In vitro experiment HCN1 and HCN2 plasmids and green fluorescent plasmids were transfected into HEK293 cells with liposome 2000.At 24-48 h after transfection, HCN1 and HCN2 channel currents were recorded using whole-cell patch clamp technique.HCN channel currents were recorded as baseline value after rupture of membrane.HEK293 cells were perfused with the extracellular fluid containing different concentrations of dexmedetomidine (0.1, 1.0 or 10.0 μmol/L).After the cells were perfused with dexmedetomidine 0.1 μmol/L for 5 min, HCN currents were recorded.The inhibition rate of currents were calculated.After washout, HCN currents were recorded after the cells were perfused with the next concentration for 5 min.The half-maximal activation voltage (V1/2) of HCN channels and the curve slope were recorded.The difference in V1/2 before and after administration (△V1/2) were calculated.Results Compared with group C, MPE％ was significantly increased in Dex10 group-Dex40 group of wild type and HCN1-/-mice (P＜0.05).Compared with Dex30 and Dex40 groups of wild type mice, MPE％ was significantly decreased in Dex30 and Dex40 groups of HCN1-/-mice (P＜0.05).There was no significant difference in MPE％ between Dex10 group and Dex20 group of wild type and HCN1-/-mice (P＞0.05).Compared with the baseline value, the currents and V1/2 of HCN1 and HCN2 channels in HEK293 cells were significantly decreased when the cells were perfused with dexmedetomidine 0.1, 1.0 and 10.0 μmol/L (P＜0.05).Compared with the value when the cells were perfused with dexmedetomidine 0.1 μmol/L, the currents and V1/2 of HCN1 and HCN2 channels in HEK293 cells were significantly decreased, and inhibition rate of currents and △ V1/2were increased when perfused with dexmedetomidine 1.0 and 10.0 μmol/L (P＜0.05).Compared with the value when the cells were perfused with dexmedetomidine 1.0 μmol/L, the currents and V1/2 of HCN1 and HCN2 channels in HEK293 cells were significantly decreased, and inhibition rate of currents and △ V1/2were increased when perfused with dexmedetomidine 10.0 μmol/L (P＜0.05).There was no significant difference in the activation curve slope of HCN1 and HCN2 channel currents in HEK293 cells when the cells were perfused with dexmedetomidine 0.1, 1.0 and 10.0 μmol/L (P＞0.05).Conclusion Dexmedetomidine-produced antinociceptic effect is likely related to the inhibition of spinal HCN channel opening.