Effects of ulinastatin on expression of ICAM-1 of lung tissues during cardiopulmonary bypass in dog

[Objective] To study the effect of ulinastatin on the expression of ICAM-1 of lung tissue during cardiopulmonary bypass in dog and its protective effect on lung tissue. [Methods] 12 adult hybrid healthy dogs were randomly divided into control group (group C, n=6) and ulinastatin group (group U, n=6). The model of CPB in dog was established. The levels of myeloperoxidase (MPO) in lung tissue and xanthine oxidase (XOD) in plasma were detected at the time before CPB (T1), 15 min (T2) and 45 min (T3) after cross-clamping of aorta, and 30 min (T4), 60 min (T5) after aortic unclamping. Specimens of lung tissue were taken for optical microscope examination and the ICAM-1 of lung tissue was examined with immunohistochemical technique and image analysis. [Result] After CPB, the levels of MPO in lung tissue and XOD in plasma and the average grey of ICAM-1 were lower significantly in group U than that in group C at all the stages (P 0.01). [Conclusion] Ulinastatin can reduce the aggregation of neutrophil and the production of free radical in the lung tissues through its effect to inhibit the expression of ICAM-1 in the lung tissues. Ulinastatin may exert a protective effect on lung injury during cardiopulmonary bypass.