The inhibition of pro-inflammatory cytokines with pentoxifylline in the cardiopulmunary bypass lung.

In addition to preventing tissue energy loss during cardiopulmonary bypass, pentoxifylline (Ptx) prevents the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines as well. The aim of this study was to investigate whether Ptx decreases the inflammatory effects of cardiopulmonary bypass on the lungs during open-heart surgery. The patients in the study group (n = 15) who were going through an open-heart surgery had 500 mg l(-1) of Ptx added to their prime solution, whereas the patients in the control group (n = 10) only received prime solution. Pre-pump and post-pump blood samples were obtained from both groups and assayed for interleukin-6 (IL-6), interleukin-8 (IL-8) and tumour necrosis factor alpha (TNFalpha). Lung tissue samples that were obtained after the pump were examined with light microscopy and stained for tissueTNFalpha. Non-parametric Wilcoxon test was utilized for statistical evaluation. In the post-pump period, the difference in the IL-6, IL-8 and TNFalpha levels of the two groups was found to be statistically significant (P<0.005). The tissue samples from the control group had significant staining with TNFalpha. We think that Ptx has important protective effects on the lungs during cardiopulmonary bypass.