\[Abstract\]ObjectiveTo investigate the effects of dexmedetomidine on blood glucose, β-endorphin(β-EP), tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α) and interleukin-6 (IL-6) levels in patients undergoing radical esophagectomy, and to discuss the possible mechanism. MethodsForty patients with esophageal carcinoma undergoing radical esophagectomy were randomly assigned to 2 groups: dexmedetomidine group and control group (n=20 in each). Blood samples were taken immediately before induction of anesthesia(T0), immediately after tracheal extubation(T1), day 1 and day 2 after operation(T2,T3) for determining the levels of blood glucose, plasma β-EP and serum TNF-α and IL-6. ResultsCompared with those at T0, MAP and HR at T1were significantly elevated (P<0.05) in the control group, the blood glucose and plasma β-EP at T1-T3were significantly increased (P<0.05), and the serum TNF-α and IL-6 at T1 and T2 were significantly elevated(P<0.05). The blood glucose, plasma β-EP, serum TNF-α and IL-6 in dexmedetomidine group had no significant changes at all time points (P>0.05), and the above parameters were significantly different between the two groups at corresponding time pionts (P<0.05). ConclusionContinued application of dexmedetomidine can effectively decrease the levels of blood glucose, plasma β-EP, serum TNF-α and IL-6 in patients undergoing radical esophagectomy, inhibiting the peri-operative stress response.