Ulinastatin decreases permeability of blood--brain barrier by inhibiting expression of MMP-9 and t-PA in postoperative aged rats.

Tissue-type plasminogen activator (t-PA) and matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) have been reported to play important roles in increased permeability of blood-brain barrier (BBB) under many pathological circumstances. We have showed that Ulinastatin, a broad-spectrum serine protease inhibitor, could alleviate inflammation in the hippocampus of aged rats following partial hepatectomy. In this study, we investigate the expression and potential roles of t-PA and MMP-9 in the protective effect of Ulinastatin.

Ulinastatin alleviates neuroinflammation but fails to improve cognitive function in aged rats following partial hepatectomy.

Postoperative cognitive dysfunction (POCD) is very common complication of surgery in aged individuals. Accumulated evidence suggests that neuroinflammation may be the underlying cause of POCD. The aim of the present study was to investigate the effects of ulinastatin (UTI) on neuroinflammation and on learning and memory of aged rats after anesthesia and surgery.

[Incidence of deep venous thrombosis (DVT) in patients undergoing thoracotomy and changes of hemostasis].

Objective: To survey the incidence of deep venous thrombosis (DVT) in high risk patients undergoing thoracotomy and observe the changes of hemostatic activity.

Methods: Fifty-two consecutive patients (ages that ranged from 35 to 79, 34 men and 18 women) with lung or esophagus cancer were enrolled into this prospective trial. The patients included underwent major thoracic surgery from February 2003 to April 2003.

[Influence of lipopolysaccharide pretreatment on acute lung injury induced by lipopolysaccharide in rats].

Objective: To evaluate the effect of lipopolysaccharide pretreatment on blocking the development of lipopolysaccharide (E.Coli O(55):B(5)) induced acute lung injury. The activity of nuclear factor-kappaB (NF-kappaB) in alveolar macrophages was assessed to elucidate its mechanism.