[Effects of neutrophil elastase inhibitor on postoperative cytokine levels in patients after esophagectomy].
BACKGROUND
The purpose of this study is to examine the effects of neutrophil elastase inhibitor on postoperative cytokine levels in patients after esophagectomy.


METHODS
Fifteen patients were divided into two groups; group 1: 9 patients receiving neutrophil elastase inhibitor (0.2 mg x kg(-1) x hr(-1) from the admission to ICU to extubation), group 2: 6 patients as a control. We measured neutrophil elastase activity, interleukin 1-beta, interleukin 6 and interleukin 8 preoperatively, just after the admission to ICU, and 24, 48 and 72 hours after the surgery.


RESULTS
There were significant differences in neutrophil elastase activity and interleukin 8 in group 1 24 hours after the surgery, compared with those in group 2. The time necessary for mechanical ventilation in group 1 was shorter than that in group 2 (group 1: 44.7 +/- 24.7 hrs, group 2: 112.8 +/- 90.3 hrs, P = 0.048).


CONCLUSIONS
The administration of neutrophil elastase inhibitor may be useful for patients after esophagectomy to reduce overexpression of plasma cytokine levels after surgery.
Yamaki
Ei
E
Department of General Surgical Science and Gunma University, Graduate School of Medicine, Maebashi 371-8511.
Ogata
Kyoichi
K
Hinohara
Hiroshi
H
Kadoi
Yuji
Y
Kunimoto
Fumio
F
Kuwano
Hiroyuki
H
D016207:Cytokines / Q000097:blood*; D004938:Esophageal Neoplasms / Q000601:surgery*; D016629:Esophagectomy; D005998:Glycine / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000031:analogs & derivatives*; D006801:Humans; D016209:Interleukin-8 / Q000097:blood; D019272:Leukocyte Elastase / Q000097:blood; D008171:Lung Diseases / Q000517:prevention & control; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000517:prevention & control; D011184:Postoperative Period; D012121:Respiration, Artificial; D015843:Serpins / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D013449:Sulfonamides / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D013997:Time Factors
D016207:Cytokines; D016209:Interleukin-8; D015843:Serpins; D013449:Sulfonamides; C069195:sivelestat; D019272:Leukocyte Elastase; D005998:Glycine