[The proliferative cytokines TGF-beta and VEGF in pleural effusions post-coronary artery bypass graft].
Coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgeries can impact on the pericardium and pleural space, leading to inflammation which can cause effusion.


OBJECTIVE
To study the role of the proliferative cytokines TGF-beta and VEGF in the fluids of 16 transudates and 43 pleural effusions of patients who underwent CABG at the Heart Unit and Pulmonology Unit of the University Hospital of São Paulo. Levels of cytokines were assessed 2, 24 and 48 hours post-surgery.


RESULTS
The pleural effusion after CABG is an exsudative mobilizer of TGF-beta and VEGF cytokines immediately after surgery. The TGF-beta concentrations were elevated 2 hours after surgery but started to fall soon after, reaching transudate levels after 48 hours. VEGF levels were high in the first 2 hours post surgery and tended to maintain the same concentrations for at least 48 hours after surgery.


CONCLUSIONS
Based on the results obtained, TGF-beta is a cytokine that seems to work as a trigger, leading the pleural mesothelial cell to express VEGF a cause of pleural effusion in CABG surgeries.
Chibante
António M S
AM
Serviço de Cardiopneumologia, Hospital Gaffrée-Guinle. Univesidade do Rio de Janeiro/Cardiopulmonology Unit, Hospital Gaffrée-Guinle. Universidade do Rio de Janeiro, Brasil. chibante@domain.com.br
Vaz
Marcelo Alexandre C
MA
Suso
Francisco Vargas
FV
D001026:Coronary Artery Bypass / Q000009:adverse effects*; D006801:Humans; D010996:Pleural Effusion / Q000737:chemistry / Q000209:etiology*; D013997:Time Factors; D016212:Transforming Growth Factor beta / Q000032:analysis / Q000502:physiology*; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A / Q000032:analysis / Q000502:physiology*
D016212:Transforming Growth Factor beta; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A