The effect of alpha-2A adrenergic receptor (ADRA2A) genetic polymorphisms on the depth of sedation of dexmedetomidine: a genetic observational pilot study

BACKGROUND: The genetic polymorphisms of the alpha-2A adrenergic receptor (ADRA2A), which plays a significant role in sedation, anxiety relief, and antinociception, particularly in dexmedetomidine, may differ in the degree of sedation. This study aimed to investigate the effect of the genetic polymorphisms of ADRA2A (rs11195418, rs1800544, rs2484516, rs1800545, rs553668, rs3750625) on the sedative effects of dexmedetomidine. METHODS: A total of 131 patients aged 50 years or more from May 2018 to August 2019 were included in this study. The ADRA2A gene variants were evaluated using the TaqMan Assay. Dexmedetomidine diluted in normal saline to a concentration of 4 μg.mL(-1) was infused at a dose of 2 μg.kg(-1) to achieve procedural sedation (modified Ramsay sedation scale 4 [mRSS 4]). RESULTS: A total of 131 patients were evaluated. The genetic polymorphisms (rs11195418) of the ADRA2A receptor gene demonstrated no variation in our participants. The ADRA2A receptor gene polymorphisms (rs1800544, rs2484516, rs1800545, rs553668, and rs3750625) exhibited no differences in total dexmedetomidine doses (p > 0.217), bispectral index at mRSS 4 (p > 0.620), and time to obtain mRSS 4 (p > 0.349). CONCLUSION: This study suggested that the genetic polymorphisms of ADRA2A did not affect the sedative efficacy of dexmedetomidine.