Objective To investigate the effect of remifentanil on the expression of silent information regulator 2 (SIRT2) and inflammatory factors in BV‑2 microglia cells. Methods The cultured BV‑2 microglia cells were divided into four groups (one well per group): a blank control group (group C), a remifentanil 10 μmol/L group (group R1), a remifentanil 50 μmol/L group (group R2) and a remifentanil 100 μmol/L group (group R3). After the cells were grown to 70%-80% confluence, the culture media of group R1, group R2 and group R3 were replaced with 2 ml of remifentanil with DMEM/F12 culture medium (containing 10, 50, 100 μmol/L of remifentanil, respectively), before incubation for 2 h. In addition, cultured BV‑2 microglia cells were divided into four groups (one well per group): a blank control groups 2 (group C2), a 15 min group (group T1), a 1 h group (group T2) and a 2 h group (group T3). After the cells were grown to 70%-80% confluence, the culture media of group T1, group T2 and group T3 was replaced with 2 ml of remifentanil at 100 μmol/L with DMEM/F12 culture medium, followed by treatment for 15 min, 1 h and 2 h, respectively. The levels of SIRT2 and ionized calcium binding adaptor molecule 1 (Iba1) in each group were determined by Western blot, and the levels of tumor necrosis factor‑α (TNF‑α) and interleukin (IL)‑1β were determined by enzyme‑linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Results Compared with group C, groups R1, R2 and R3 showed increased levels of Iba1, IL‑1β, TNF‑α increased and decreased SIRT2 levels (P<0.05). Compared with group R1, the levels of Iba1 and IL‑1β increased in group R2 and group R3 (P<0.05), while decreased SIRT2 levels and increased TNF‑α levels were seen in group R3 (P<0.05). Compared with group R2, the levels of SIRT2 decreased in group R3 (P<0.05). Compared with group C2, group T1, group T2 and group T3 showed increased levels of Iba1, IL‑1β and TNF‑α (P<0.05), and decreased SIRT2 levels (P<0.05). Compared with group T1, group T2 and group T3 presented increases in Iba1, IL‑1β and TNF‑α levels (P<0.05), and decreases in SIRT2 levels (P<0.05). Compared with group T2, group T3 showed decreased levels of SIRT2 (P<0.05), as well as increased levels of IL‑1β and TNF‑α (P<0.05). Conclusions Remifentanil can activate BV‑2 microglia through significantly increasing the expression of Iba1 and inflammatory cytokines and inhibiting the expression of SIRT2 in a dose‑dependent and time‑dependent manner.