title: Cardioprotective effect of pretreatment with beta-glucan in coronary artery bypass grafting.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Beta-glucan pretreatment has been shown to attenuate inflammatory response and to protect against ischemia-reperfusion injury in animal studies. The aims of the present study were to examine the safety of pretreatment with beta-1,3/1,6-glucan in patients scheduled for coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG), and to investigate whether beta-1,3/1,6-glucan pretreatment could suppress inflammatory response and protect against ischemia-reperfusion injury following CABG.
  
  
  METHODS
  Twenty one patients scheduled for CABG were assigned to oral beta-1,3/1,6-glucan 700 mg (Group 1) or 1 400 mg (Group 2) five consecutive days before surgery and were compared with a control group (Group 3). Blood samples were drawn preoperatively and on the first, third and fifth postoperative day for analysis of acute-phase reactants, hematology, cytokines and myocardial enzymes.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The study drug was well tolerated. Creatine kinase isoenzyme MB was significantly lower in Group 2 compared with controls on the first postoperative day (p = 0.028). Mean change in cardiac troponin T was lower in Group 2 compared with controls (p = 0.028).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Beta-1,3/1,6-glucan pretreatment is safe in patients undergoing CABG and may protect against ischemia reperfusion injury following CABG.
authors.affiliation: Department of Cardiothoracic and Vascular Surgery, University Hospital of North Norway, 9038, Tromsø, N-Norway. erling.johan.aarsaether@unn.no
authors.forename: Erling
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Aarsaether
authors.forename: Mona
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Rydningen
authors.forename: Rolf
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Einar Engstad
authors.forename: Rolf
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Busund
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D002316:Cardiotonic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001026:Coronary Artery Bypass / Q000009:adverse effects*; D005260:Female; D006335:Heart Injuries / Q000188:drug therapy*; D006801:Humans; D007262:Infusions, Intravenous; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015428:Myocardial Reperfusion Injury / Q000517:prevention & control*; D019990:Perioperative Care / Q000379:methods; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D047071:beta-Glucans / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000627:therapeutic use*
chemical_list: D002316:Cardiotonic Agents; D047071:beta-Glucans