Effects of ulinastatin on proinflammatory cytokines in mitral valve replacement patients under hypothermic cardiopulmonary bypass

Objective To investigate the effects of ulinastatin on proinflammatory cytokines during mitral valve replacement under hypothermic cardiopulmonary bypass. Methods Sixteen patients for mitral valve replacement surgery were randomly divided into two groups: the ulinastatin group(group U,n=8) received 6000 IU/kg ulinastatin intravenously before CPB and same dose of ulinastatin added into the primary solution. The control group(group C, n=8)received normal saline instead of ulinastatin. Blood samples were taken before skin incision(T1),30 min after start of CPB(T2) and 1 h(T3),4 h(T4)and 24 h(T5) after termination of CPB for determination of plasma TNF-αand IL-6. Results The plasma level of TNF-α and IL-6 increased after CPB in both groups,TNF-α and IL-6 level at T2,T3,T4 and T5 in group U were lower than that in group C (P0.01 or P0.05=. Conclusion Ulinastatin is effective in reducing CPB-induced inflammatory response in the patients undergoing mitral valve replacement.