OBJECTIVETo investigate the effects of prostaglandin E1 (PGE1) on the cytokines (IL-6, IL-8, IL-10) levels and ischemic -reperfusion injury of myocardium during cardiac surgery.

METHODSA total of 30 patients undergoing cardiac surgery (mitral valve replacement) under extracorporeal circulation were randomized into two groups: PGE1 group (receiving 0.04 microg.kg(-1). min(-1) of Lipo-PGE1 from the beginning of surgery to the end of study, n=15) and control group (no PGE1 given, n=15). Levels of serum IL-6, IL-8 and IL-10 were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISA). Isoenzyme of creatine kinase with muscle and brain subunits(CKMB) and troponin-T (cTn-T) were measured by ultraviolet absorption spectrophotometry method and enzyme immunoassay on 5 time-points during the study.

RESULTIn both groups serum IL-6, IL-8, CK-MB and cTn-T levels increased significantly after aorta declamping (especially from 2 h after aorta declamping) compared with preoperative levels (P<0.05).However,the elevations of these cytokines and enzymes were more prominent in the control group than in the PGE1 group (P<0.05). Serum IL-10 concentration increased significantly from 2 h after aorta declamping compared with preoperative value (P<0.05); but there were no differences between the two groups. IL-6 and IL-8 levels were correlated with CK-MB and cTn-T concentrations (r2=0.40, r2=0.38 P>0.05 and r2=0.56, r2=0.14; P>0.05, respectively).

CONCLUSIONDuring cardiac surgery (mitral valve replacement) PGE1 may suppressed the production of IL-6, IL-8 but not IL-10, which may be related to its myocardial protection effect.