[Protective effect of ulinastatin on lung injury induced by simultaneous pancreas-kidney transplantation in piglet].
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the effects of ulinastatin (UTI) on lung injury induced by simultaneous pancreas-kidney transplantation in piglet.


METHODS
With reproduction of simultaneous pancreas-kidney transplantation model in piglets, 12 couples of piglets were randomly divided into two groups (n=12). Piglets in UTI group were given a constant infusion of UTI 15 kU x kg(-1) x h(-1) by means of a pump during operation. Control group were treated with constant pumped infusion of 0.9% saline in equal volume. The blood samples were collected to measure the plasma concentrations of superoxide dismutase (SOD), malondialdehyde (MDA), tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) and interleukin-8 (IL-8) before operation (baseline levels, T0), at the time of re-establishment of circulation with successful an anastomosis of arteries and veins (T1), at 1 hour and 2 hours after re-establishment of circulation (T2 and T3), and at the end of operation (T4). The pathological changes in the lungs were examined.


RESULTS
In control group, plasma MDA concentration was significantly increased from T1 till T4 as compared with T0 (all P<0.05), whereas in group UTI it did not change significantly (all P>0.05). In group UTI, SOD activity was significantly increased at T1-2 and T4 as compared with T0 (all P<0.05), whereas in control group it did not change significantly (all P>0.05). The plasma MDA concentration was significantly decreased at T1 and T2, and SOD activity was increased at T2 in group UTI than those in control group (all P<0.05). In control group, plasma TNF-alpha concentration was significantly increased from T2 to T4 as compared with T0 (all P<0.05), whereas it did not change significantly in group UTI (all P>0.05). The plasma IL-8 concentration was significantly decreased at T1-2 and T4 in group UTI compared with those in control group (both P<0.05).


CONCLUSIONS
UTI can inhibit neutrophil aggregation in lungs and expression of harmful inflammatory cytokines, and it reduces production of oxygen free radical, so that it can protect lung tissue from injury induced by simultaneous pancreas-kidney transplantation.
Chen
Yong-quan
YQ
Department of Anesthesiology, Affiliated Hospital, Wannan Medical College, Wuhu 241001, Anhui, China.
Jin
Xiao-ju
XJ
Liu
Zhao-fang
ZF
Zhu
Mei-fang
MF
Dai
Ze-ping
ZP
Chen
Xiao-peng
XP
D000818:Animals; D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006023:Glycoproteins / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D016209:Interleukin-8 / Q000097:blood; D016030:Kidney Transplantation; D008168:Lung / Q000187:drug effects / Q000473:pathology; D055370:Lung Injury / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D008315:Malondialdehyde / Q000097:blood; D016035:Pancreas Transplantation; D013482:Superoxide Dismutase / Q000097:blood; D013552:Swine; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / Q000097:blood
D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents; D006023:Glycoproteins; D016209:Interleukin-8; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha; D008315:Malondialdehyde; D013482:Superoxide Dismutase; C028665:urinastatin