José Bitu-Moreno

Inhibition of neutrophil activity improves cardiac function after cardiopulmonary bypass

BackgroundThe arterial in line application of the leukocyte inhibition module (LIM) in the cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) limits overshooting leukocyte activity during cardiac surgery. We studied in a porcine model whether LIM may have beneficial effects on cardiac function after CPB.MethodsGerman landrace pigs underwent CPB (60 min myocardial ischemia; 30 min reperfusion) without (group I; n = 6) or with LIM (group II; n = 6). The cardiac indices (CI) and cardiac function were analyzed pre and post CPB with a Swan-Ganz catheter and the cardiac function analyzer. Neutrophil labeling with technetium, scintigraphy, and histological analyses were done to track activated neutrophils within the organs.ResultsLIM prevented CPB-associated increase of neutrophil counts in peripheral blood. In group I, the CI significantly declined post CPB (post: 3.26 ± 0.31; pre: 4.05 ± 0.45 l/min/m2; p < 0.01). In group II, the CI was only slightly reduced (post: 3.86 ± 0.49; pre 4.21 ± 1.32 l/min/m2; p = 0.23). Post CPB, the intergroup difference showed significantly higher CI values in the LIM group (p < 0.05) which was in conjunction with higher pre-load independent endsystolic pressure volume relationship (ESPVR) values (group I: 1.57 ± 0.18; group II: 1.93 ± 0.16; p < 0.001). Moreover, the systemic vascular resistance and pulmonary vascular resistance were lower in the LIM group. LIM appeared to accelerate the sequestration of hyperactivated neutrophils in the spleen and to reduce neutrophil infiltration of heart and lung.ConclusionOur data provides strong evidence that LIM improves perioperative hemodynamics and cardiac function after CPB by limiting neutrophil activity and inducing accelerated sequestration of neutrophils in the spleen.

Influence of different routes of flush perfusion on the distribution of lung preservation solutions in parenchyma and airways

OBJECTIVE The present study was performed to investigate the influence of different routes of perfusion on the distribution of the preservation solutions in the lung parenchyma and upper airways. METHODS Pigs were divided into four groups: control (n = 6), pulmonary artery (PA) (n = 6), simultaneous PA + bronchial artery (BA) (n = 8), and retrograde delivery (n = 6). After preparation and cannulation, cardioplegia solution and Euro-Collins solution (ECS) for lung preservation were given simultaneously. After removal of the heart, the double lung bloc was harvested. Following parameters were assessed: total and regional perfusion (dye-labeled microspheres), tissue water content, PA, aorta, left atrial and left ventricular pressures, cardiac output and lung temperature. RESULTS Our data show that flow of the ECS in lung parenchyma did not reach control values (9.4+/-1.0 ml/min per g lung wet weight) regardless of the route of delivery (PA 6.3+/-1.5, PA + BA 4.8+/-0.9, retrograde 2.7+/-0.9 ml/min per g lung wet weight). However, flow in the proximal and distal trachea were significantly increased by PA + BA delivery (0.970+/-0.4, respectively, 0.380+/-0.2 ml/min per g) in comparison with PA (0.023+/-0.007, respectively, 0.024+/-0.070 ml/min per g), retrograde (0.009+/-0.003, respectively, 0.021+/-0.006 ml/min per g) and control experiments (0.125+/-0.0018, respectively, 0.105+/-0.012 ml/g per min). Similarly the highest flow rates in the right main bronchus were achieved by PA + BA delivery (1.04+/-0.4 ml/min per g) in comparison with 0.11+/-0.03 in control, 0.033+/-0.008 in PA, and 0.019+/-0.005 ml/min per g in retrograde group. Flows in the left main bronchus were 0.09+/-0.02 ml/min per g in control, 0.045+/-0.012 ml/min per g in PA, and 0.027+/-0.006 ml/min per g in retrograde group. The flow rates were significantly (P = 0.001) increased by PA + BA delivery of the storage solution (0.97+/-0.3 ml/min per g). CONCLUSIONS Our data show that the distribution of ECS for lung preservation is significantly improved in airway tissues (trachea and bronchi) if a simultaneous PA + BA delivery is used.

Effect of alpha-tocopherol on the ischemia/reperfusion lesions induced in the hindlimb of rats

Studies indicate that oxygen-derived free radicals may play a major role in ischemia-reperfusion injury. Alpha-tocopherol acts in vivo as a free radical scavenger. Our purpose was to elucidate whether alpha-tocopherol could change the evolution of ischemia/reperfusion in the right hindlimb of rats. The animals were randomly allocated in the following groups: Group 1(G1)- control without ischemia. Groups 2 and 3(G2,3): four hours ischemia and two hours reperfusion. The animals of group 2 were treated with saline and those of the group 3, treated with alpha-tocopherol, 50 mg/Kg. Parameters were the foot volume and circumference, 99mTc-Pyrophosfate uptake in the soleus muscle, plasmatic creatine-phosphokinase (CPK), and transmition eletronic microscopy (TEM)of muscle cells. The foot volume and circumference of the animals of G2 were significantly greater than in G1. In the G3 these measurements did not differ from the G1. Pyrophosphate uptake and CPK measurements were increased in G2,G3 when compared to the animals of G1, but there were no differences between the ischemic groups. Cell injury, when examined by TEM, was less severe in two of three animals of G3, when compared to the G2. Conclusion: The treatment with alpha-tocopherol diminuished edema formation, but only partially protected muscle cells from injury.