The Effect of Methylprednisolone on Plasma Concentrations of Neutrophil Gelatinase-Associated Lipocalin in Pediatric Heart Surgery.

Objectives: Plasma neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin is a kidney injury marker used in pediatric heart surgery. Neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin is also a constituent of specific granules of neutrophils. Corticosteroids are widely used in pediatric heart surgery.

Endogenous protease inhibitor uptake within the graft during reperfusion in human liver transplantation.

Background: In experimental liver transplantation, endogenous protease inhibitors alleviate ischemia-reperfusion (I/R) injury by inhibiting proteolysis and by direct anti-inflammatory actions. We described the kinetics of endogenous protease inhibitors and explored their anti-inflammatory potential during reperfusion and their effects on graft function in human liver transplantation.

Methods: We measured circulating levels of protease inhibitors (secretory leukocyte proteinase inhibitor, SLPI; tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinases-1, TIMP-1) and proteolytic enzymes (elastase; matrix metalloproteinase-9, MMP-9) with ELISA, and neutrophil and monocyte CD11b and L-selectin expression with flow cytometry during liver transplantation in ten patients.

Hepatic IL-8 release during graft procurement is associated with impaired graft function after human liver transplantation.

In experimental models, brain death induces inflammatory cascades, leading to reduced graft survival. Thus far, factors prior to graft preservation have gained less attention in clinical setting. We studied pre-preservation inflammatory response and its effects on graft function in 30 brain dead liver donors and the respective recipients.

Intragraft coagulation events and delayed graft function in clinical renal transplantation.

Background: Cold preservation, reperfusion damage, immunosuppressive drugs, and uremia-induced acquired thrombophilias increase the risk of thrombotic complications in renal transplantation. Intragraft fibrin deposition may be associated with delayed graft function.

Methods: We studied coagulation and fibrinolysis in 45 patients of a larger trial in renal transplantation: perioperative antithymocyte globulin (group A, n=15), perioperative basiliximab (group B, n=16), and conventional triple therapy (group C, n=14).

Single bolus antithymocyte globulin versus basiliximab induction in kidney transplantation with cyclosporine triple immunosuppression: efficacy and safety.

Background: The aim of this prospective randomized study was to examine the effect of induction immunosuppression and low initial cyclosporine (CsA) on the onset of graft function and its long-term consequences.

Methods: During 1999-2001, 155 patients were randomized to single 9 mg/kg dose antithymocyte globulin (ATG)-Fresenius (group A) or two 20-mg doses of basiliximab (group B) with reduced dose CsA or conventional CsA triple therapy without induction (group C).

Results: Delayed function (DGF) was lower in group A than in groups B or C (5.

Graft protein C entrapment is associated with reduced phagocyte activation during reperfusion in human liver transplantation.

Objective: To explore the potential anti-inflammatory role of protein C pathway in ischemia-reperfusion injury during liver transplantation.

Design: Prospective, observational clinical study.

Setting: Tertiary teaching hospital.

Activated protein C reduces graft neutrophil activation in clinical renal transplantation.

We studied the role of endogenous activated protein C (APC), the major physiological anti-coagulant with concomitant anti-inflammatory properties, on ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) in 45 patients participating in a larger trial comparing three immunosuppressive protocols in cadaveric renal transplantation: perioperative anti-thymocyte globulin (ATG, Fresenius AG, Bad Homburg, Germany), perioperative basiliximab and conventional triple therapy. Blood samples for assessing plasma APC, protein C, and lactoferrin concentrations, neutrophil CD11b and L-selectin expressions and blood leukocyte differential counts were obtained preoperatively and before reperfusion from central venous cannula, complemented with simultaneous samples from iliac artery and graft vein for calculation of transrenal differences (Delta) of study parameters at 1 and 5 min after reperfusion. Unlike basiliximab or conventional therapy groups, ATG infusion induced a substantial increase in plasma APC concentration (119 [88-144]% before infusion vs.

Activation of neutrophils and monocytes by a leukocyte-depleting filter used throughout cardiopulmonary bypass.

Objective: Cardiopulmonary bypass elicits systemic inflammation. Depletion of circulating leukocytes might alleviate inflammatory response. We studied the effects of a leukocyte-depleting filter on phagocyte activation during cardiopulmonary bypass.

Association of graft neutrophil sequestration with delayed graft function in clinical renal transplantation.

Background: The authors studied the impact of neutrophil activation, detected in experimental models, on reperfusion injury in clinical renal transplantation.

Methods: Forty-five patients from a larger trial comparing three immunosuppressive protocols were recruited: perioperative antithymocyte globulin (ATG) with low initial cyclosporine A (CsA) triple therapy (group A, n=15); two-dose basiliximab with low initial CsA triple therapy (group B, n=16); and conventional triple therapy (group C, n=14). Blood samples were obtained preoperatively, before reperfusion, and at 1 and 5 min after reperfusion.

Activation of protein C during reperfusion in clinical liver transplantation.

Background: Activated protein C (APC) exhibits anticoagulant and antiinflammatory properties. We studied the kinetics and magnitude of protein C activation in clinical liver transplantation and the interaction of this activation with neutrophil and monocyte activation.

Methods: In 10 patients undergoing liver transplantation, we measured plasma protein C and APC levels, neutrophil and monocyte CD11b and L-selectin expression, and leukocyte differential counts pre-, intra-, and postoperatively.