Does intraoperative ulinastatin improve postoperative clinical outcomes in patients undergoing cardiac surgery: a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials

An Applied Study of Ulinastatin in Pain Management After Hip Replacement: Impact on Opioid Use

Background

Due to the global prevalence of opioid drugs, postsurgical prescriptions can lead to substantial opioid consumption, highlighting the increasing need for alternative medications. Alternative medicines can markedly lessen the usage of opioids after surgery, but the variety and notable side effects of these alternatives require meticulous experimental support.

Objective

This study explored the efficacy and safety of ulinastatin for alleviating postsurgical pain, for reducing the need for opioids, and for inclusion in conventional treatment methods.

Methods

A total of 108 patients undergoing elective hip replacement were randomly allocated into either the experimental group (56 cases, standard pain relief treatment plus 60 IU ulinastatin) or the control group (40 cases, standard pain relief treatment). The main outcomes measured were the total consumption of opioids at 24, 48, and 72 h postoperatively. Secondary outcomes comprised patient-reported pain indices and levels of satisfaction with pain control. The frequency of adverse events evaluated medication safety.

Results

There were no statistically significant differences in age, sex, or underlying diseases between the two groups. Over 24 hours, opioid consumption was higher in the standard treatment group (66.6 mg; mean difference [MD]: 4.43 mg; 95% CI: 57.6-75.5) than in the intervention group (54.5 mg; MD: 1.91 mg; 95% CI: 50.7-58.3). The standard treatment group exhibited a notably higher incidence of adverse reactions. However, there was no disparity in post-discharge satisfaction between the groups, with an odds ratio of 1.058 (95% CI: 0.62-1.82; P > 0.05). Additionally, significant differences in C-reactive protein levels were observed immediately and 6 h after surgery between the two groups.

Conclusion

Within 72 h post-surgery, ulinastatin was effective in substantially reducing the use of opioids while maintaining adequate pain control. Ulinastatin may be beneficial for postoperative pain management and for reducing the risks associated with opioid use.

Registered

ClinicalTrials.gov ChiCTR2300072126.

Ulinastatin shortens the length of ICU stay in critical patients with organ failure: A 7-year real-world study

BACKGROUND

Ulinastatin has been applied in a series of diseases associated with inflammation but its clinical effects remain somewhat elusive.

OBJECTIVE

We aimed to investigate the potential effects of ulinastatin on organ failure patients admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU).

METHODS

This is a single-center retrospective study on organ failure patients from 2013 to 2019. Patients were divided into two groups according to using ulinastatin or not during hospitalization. Propensity score matching was applied to reduce bias. The outcomes of interest were 28-day all-cause mortality, length of ICU stay, and mechanical ventilation duration.

RESULTS

Of the 841 patients who fulfilled the entry criteria, 247 received ulinastatin. A propensity-matched cohort of 608 patients was created. No significant differences in 28-day mortality between the two groups. Sequential organ failure assessment (SOFA) was identified as the independent risk factor associated with mortality. In the subgroup with SOFA ≤ 10, patients received ulinastatin experienced significantly shorter time in ICU (10.0 d [interquartile range, IQR: 7.0∼20.0] vs 15.0 d [IQR: 7.0∼25.0]; p = .004) and on mechanical ventilation (222 h [IQR:114∼349] vs 251 h [IQR: 123∼499]; P = .01), but the 28-day mortality revealed no obvious difference (10.5% vs 9.4%; p = .74).

CONCLUSION

Ulinastatin was beneficial in treating patients in ICU with organ failure, mainly by reducing the length of ICU stay and duration of mechanical ventilation.

Integrative Multiomics Profiling Unveils the Protective Function of Ulinastatin against Dextran Sulfate Sodium-Induced Colitis

Ulcerative colitis is an inflammatory bowel disease with multiple pathogeneses. Here, we aimed to study the therapeutic role of ulinastatin (UTI), an anti-inflammatory bioagent, and its associated mechanisms in treating colitis. Dextran sulfate sodium was administrated to induce colitis in mice, and a subgroup of colitis mice was treated with UTI. The gut barrier defect and inflammatory manifestations of colitis were determined via histological and molecular experiments. In addition, transcriptomics, metagenomics, and metabolomics were employed to explore the possible mechanisms underlying the effects of UTI. We found that UTI significantly alleviated the inflammatory manifestations and intestinal barrier damage in the mice with colitis. Transcriptome sequencing revealed a correlation between the UTI treatment and JAK-STAT signaling pathway. UTI up-regulated the expression of SOCS1, which subsequently inhibited the phosphorylation of JAK2 and STAT3, thus limiting the action of inflammatory mediators. In addition, 16S rRNA sequencing illustrated that UTI maintained a more stable intestinal flora, protecting the gut from dysbiosis in colitis. Moreover, metabolomics analysis demonstrated that UTI indeed facilitated the production of some bile acids and short-chain fatty acids, which supported intestinal homeostasis. Our data provide evidence that UTI is effective in treating colitis and support the potential use of UTI treatment for patients with ulcerative colitis.

High-sensitivity troponin T levels before and after cardiac surgery and the 30-day mortality: a retrospective cohort study

Background

The suggested threshold level of cardiac troponin T elevation after cardiac surgery is not very clear, and the values recommended by various guidelines and literature reports are quite different.

Methods

In this retrospective cohort study, we collected clinical data of patients who underwent heart surgery at Tsinghua University First Hospital between January 2015 and December 2022. Using the high-sensitivity cardiac troponin T levels (reference upper limit: 14 ng/L) measured at 1-3 days postoperation, the relationship between the cardiac troponin T level and the 30-day mortality risk was evaluated using Cox regression analysis.

Results

Among the 3,128 patients included in this study, the types of operations mainly consisted of coronary artery bypass graft (CABG, 1,164, 37.2%), aortic valve replacement (AVR, 735, 23.5%), and other cardiac operations (1,229, 39.3%). Within 30 days postoperation, 57 patients (1.8%) died and 72 patients (2.3%) developed major vascular complications. In patients undergoing CABG or AVR, the cardiac troponin T threshold level measured within one day postoperation related to an increased 30-day mortality was determined to be 3,012 ng/L (95% CI: 1,435-3,578 ng/L), which is 218 times higher than the reference upper limit. In patients undergoing other cardiac operations, this threshold was 5,876 ng/L (95% CI: 2,458-8,119 ng/L), which is 420 times higher than the reference upper limit.

Conclusion

The high-sensitivity cardiac troponin T level associated with an increased 30-day mortality risk after cardiac surgery is significantly higher than the current recommendations for defining clinically important perioperative myocardial injury.

Effects of ulinastatin therapy in deep vein thrombosis prevention after brain tumor surgery: A single-center randomized controlled trial

BACKGROUND

Venous thromboembolism (VTE) is a common neurosurgical complication after brain tumor resection, and its prophylaxis has been widely studied. There are no effective drugs in the clinical management of venous thromboembolism, and there is an absence of evidence-based medicine concerning the treatment of severe multiple traumas.

AIM

To explore whether ulinastatin (UTI) can prevent VTE after brain tumor resection.

METHODS

The present research included patients who underwent brain tumor resection. Patients received UTIs (400,000 IU) or placebos utilizing computer-based random sequencing (in a 1:1 ratio). The primary outcome measures were the incidence of VTE, coagulation function, pulmonary emboli, liver function, renal function, and drug-related adverse effects.

RESULTS

A total of 405 patients were evaluated between January 2019 and December 2021, and 361 of these were initially enrolled in the study to form intention-to-treat, which was given UTI (n = 180) or placebo (n = 181) treatment in a random manner. There were no statistically significant differences in baseline clinical data between the two groups. The incidence of VTE in the UTI group was remarkably improved compared with that in the placebo group. UTI can improve coagulation dysfunction, pulmonary emboli, liver function, and renal function. No significant difference was identified between the two groups in the side effects of UTI-induced diarrhea, vomiting, hospital stays, or hospitalization costs. The incidence of allergies was higher in the UTI group than in the placebo group.

CONCLUSION

The findings from the present research indicated that UTI can decrease the incidence of VTE and clinical outcomes of patients after brain tumor resection and has fewer adverse reactions.

Ulinastatin in the treatment of severe acute pancreatitis: A single-center randomized controlled trial

BACKGROUND

Severe acute pancreatitis (AP) is one of the most common diseases of the gastrointestinal tract and carries a significant financial burden with high disability and mortality. There are no effective drugs in the clinical management of severe AP, and there is an absence of evidence-based medicine concerning the treatment of severe AP.

AIM

To explore whether ulinastatin (UTI) can improve the outcome of severe AP.

METHODS

The present research included patients who were hospitalized in intensive critical care units (ICUs) after being diagnosed with severe AP. Patients received UTI (400000 IU) or placebos utilizing computer-based random sequencing (in a 1:1 ratio). The primary outcome measures were 7-d mortality, clinical efficacy, inflammatory response, coagulation function, infection, liver function, renal function, and drug-related adverse effects were evaluated.

RESULTS

A total of 181 individuals were classified into two groups, namely, the placebo group (n = 90) and the UTI group (n = 91). There were no statistically significant differences in baseline clinical data between the two groups. The 7-d mortality and clinical efficacy in the UTI group were remarkably improved compared with those in the placebo group. UTI can protect against hyperinflammation and improve coagulation dysfunction, infection, liver function, and renal function. UTI patients had markedly decreased hospital stays and hospitalization expenditures compared with the placebo group.

CONCLUSION

The findings from the present research indicated that UTI can improve the clinical outcomes of patients with severe AP and has fewer adverse reactions.

Effects of ulinastatin therapy in emergency severe multiple trauma: A single-center randomized controlled trial

BACKGROUND

Severe multiple traumas are one of the most common diseases and carry a significant financial burden with high disability and mortality. There are no effective drugs in the clinical management of severe multiple traumas, and there is an absence of evidence-based medicine concerning the treatment of severe multiple traumas.

METHODS

The present study explored whether ulinastatin (UTI) can improve the outcome of severe multiple traumas. The present research included patients who were hospitalized in intensive care units after being diagnosed with severe multiple trauma. Patients received UTIs (400,000 IU) or placebos utilizing computer-based random sequencing (in a 1:1 ratio). The primary outcome measures were 30-day mortality, multiple organ dysfunction syndrome, inflammatory response, coagulation function, infection, liver function, renal function, and drug-related adverse effects.

RESULTS

A total of 239 individuals were classified into 2 groups, namely, the placebo group (n = 120) and the UTI group (n = 119). There were no statistically significant differences in baseline clinical data between the 2 groups. The 30-day mortality and multiple organ dysfunction syndrome in the UTI group were remarkably improved compared with those in the placebo group. UTI can protect against hyperinflammation and improve coagulation dysfunction, infection, liver function, and renal function. UTI patients had markedly decreased hospitalization expenditures compared with the placebo group.

CONCLUSION

The findings from the present research indicated that UTIs can improve the clinical outcomes of patients with severe multiple traumas and have fewer adverse reactions.

Ulinastatin alleviates early brain injury after intracerebral hemorrhage by inhibiting oxidative stress and neuroinflammation via ROS/MAPK/Nrf2 signaling pathway

Purpose:

Spontaneous intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) is still a major public health problem, with high mortality and disability. Ulinastatin (UTI) was purified from human urine and has been reported to be anti-inflammatory, organ protective, and antioxidative stress. However, the neuroprotection of UTI in ICH has not been confirmed, and the potential mechanism is unclear. In the present study, we aimed to investigate the neuroprotection and potential molecular mechanisms of UTI in ICH-induced early brain injury in a C57BL/6 mouse model.

Methods:

The neurological score, brain water content, neuroinflammatory cytokine levels, oxidative stress levels, and neuronal damage were evaluated.

Results:

UTI treatment markedly increased the neurological score, alleviated brain edema, decreased the levels of the inflammatory cytokines tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukin-1β (IL-1β), IL-6, and NF-κB, decreased the levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and malondialdehyde (MDA), and upregulated the levels of glutathione (GSH), superoxide dismutase (SOD), and Nrf2. This finding indicated that UTI-mediated inhibition of neuroinflammation and oxidative stress alleviated neuronal damage after ICH. The neuroprotective capacity of UTI is partly dependent on the ROS/MAPK/Nrf2 signaling pathway.

Conclusions:

UTI improves neurological outcomes in mice and reduces neuronal death by protecting against neural neuroinflammation and oxidative stress.

The effect of Ulinastatin on postoperative course in cardiopulmonary bypass patients in Asia: a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials

OBJECTIVES

To evaluate the effect of urinary trypsin inhibitor (UTI) or Ulinastatin on postoperative course and clinical outcomes in patients with cardiopulmonary bypass.

METHODS

We searched PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, and Cochrane Library for the keywords UTI and Cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB). The primary outcome measure was the intensive care unit length of stay (ICU LOS), and results were stratified for relevant subgroups (dosage of UTI). The effects of UTI on mechanical ventilation duration (MVD), hospital LOS, renal failure incidence (RFI), and all-cause mortality were studied as secondary outcomes.

RESULTS

Twelve randomized controlled trials (enrolling 1620 patients) were evaluated. Eleven studies pooled for subgroup analysis showed that using UTI persistently or with a considerable amount would lead to a shorter ICU LOS (95% CI, - 0.69 to - 0.06; P = 0.0001). Ten studies showed that UTI could shorten MVD in patients (95% CI, - 1.505 to - 0.473; P < 0.0001). RFI generally showed a more favourable outcome with UTI treatment (95%CI, 0.18-1.17; P = 0.10). And the current evidence was insufficient to prove that UTI could reduce the hospital LOS (95% CI, - 0.22 to 0.16; P = 0.75) and the all-cause mortality rate (95% CI, 0.24-2.30; P = 0.60).

CONCLUSIONS

Various subsets of UTI treatment suggested that UTI could shorten ICU LOS, and it is associated with the dosage of UTI. Considering the substantial heterogeneity and lack of criteria for UTI dosage, more evidence is needed to establish a standard dosing guideline.

Ulinastatin Inhibits the Proliferation, Invasion and Phenotypic Switching of PDGF-BB-Induced VSMCs via Akt/eNOS/NO/cGMP Signaling Pathway

Background

Atherosclerosis is a chronic inflammatory disease responsible for thrombosis, blood supply disorders, myocardial infarction and strokes, eventually leading to increased deaths and reduced quality of life. As inflammation plays a vital role in the development of this disease, the present study aims to investigate whether urinary trypsin inhibitor (UTI) with anti-inflammatory property can inhibit the proliferation, invasion and phenotypic switching of PDGF-BB-induced vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) and probe its potential mechanism.

Methods

Western blot was used to detect the expressions of the proteins related to the Akt/eNOS/NO/cGMP signaling pathway, phenotypic switching and proliferation. CCK-8 assay and EdU staining were used to detect cell proliferation of VSMCs. Transwell and wound healing assays were respectively conducted to measure the invasion and migration of VSMCs. The concentration of NO was evaluated by NO detection kit. ELISA assay analyzed the expression of cyclic GMP (cGMP).

Results

The expressions of p-Akt and p-eNOS were elevated by UTI treatment. Furthermore, UTI inhibited the proliferation, migration and invasion of VSMCs. UTI also increased the expressions of proteins related to phenotypic switching. The amount of NO and expression of cGMP were both elevated under UTI treatment.

Conclusion

UTI inhibits the proliferation, invasion and phenotypic switching of PDGF-BB-induced VSMCs via Akt/eNOS/NO/cGMP signaling pathway, which might provide a theoretical basis for the UTI treatment of atherosclerosis.

Effect of ulinastatin on post-operative blood loss and allogeneic transfusion in patients receiving cardiac surgery with cardiopulmonary bypass: a prospective randomized controlled study with 10-year follow-up

BACKGROUND

Major bleeding and allogeneic transfusion leads to negative outcomes in patients receiving cardiac surgery with cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB). Ulinastatin, a urine trypsin inhibitor, relieves systemic inflammation and improves coagulation profiles with however sparse evidence of its effects on blood loss and allogeneic transfusion in this specific population.

METHODS

In this prospective randomized controlled trial, 426 consecutive patients receiving open heart surgery with CPB were randomly assigned into three groups to receive ulinastatin (group U, n = 142), tranexamic acid (group T, n = 143) or normal saline (group C, n = 141). The primary outcome was the total volume of post-operative bleeding and the secondary outcome included the volume and exposure of allogeneic transfusion, the incidence of stroke, post-operative myocardial infarction, renal failure, respiratory failure and all-cause mortality. A ten-year follow-up was carried on to evaluate long-term safety.

RESULTS

Compared with placebo, ulinastatin significantly reduced the volume of post-operative blood loss within 24 h (688.39 ± 393.55 ml vs 854.33 ± 434.03 ml MD - 165.95 ml, 95%CI - 262.88 ml to - 69.01 ml, p < 0.001) and the volume of allogeneic erythrocyte transfusion (2.57 ± 3.15 unit vs 3.73 ± 4.21 unit, MD-1.16 unit, 95%CI - 2.06 units to - 0.26 units, p = 0.002). The bleeding and transfusion outcomes were comparable between the ulinastatin group and the tranexamic acid group. In-hospital outcomes and 10-year follow-up showed no statistical difference in mortality and major morbidity among groups.

CONCLUSIONS

Ulinastatin reduced post-operative blood loss and allogeneic erythrocyte transfusion in heart surgery with CPB. The mortality and major morbidity was comparable among the groups shown by the 10-year follow-up.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

The trial was retrospectively registered on February 2, 2010.

TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER

https://www.clinicaltrials.gov Identifier: NCT01060189.

Ulinastatin reduces postoperative bleeding and red blood cell transfusion in patients undergoing cardiac surgery: A PRISMA-compliant systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

Ulinastatin is a type of glycoprotein and a nonspecific wide-spectrum protease inhibitor like antifibrinolytic agent aprotinin. Whether Ulinastatin has similar beneficial effects on blood conservation in cardiac surgical patients as aprotinin remains undetermined. Therefore, a systematic review and meta-analysis were performed to evaluate the effects of Ulinastatin on perioperative bleeding and transfusion in patients who underwent cardiac surgery.

METHODS

Electronic databases were searched to identify all clinical trials comparing Ulinastatin with placebo/blank on postoperative bleeding and transfusion in patients undergoing cardiac surgery. Primary outcomes included perioperative blood loss, blood transfusion, postoperative re-exploration for bleeding. Secondary outcomes include perioperative hemoglobin level, platelet counts and functions, coagulation tests, inflammatory cytokines level, and so on. For continuous variables, treatment effects were calculated as weighted mean difference (WMD) and 95% confidential interval (CI). For dichotomous data, treatment effects were calculated as odds ratio and 95% CI. Statistical significance was defined as P < .05.

RESULTS

Our search yielded 21 studies including 1310 patients, and 617 patients were allocated into Ulinastatin group and 693 into Control (placebo/blank) group. There was no significant difference in intraoperative bleeding volume, postoperative re-exploration for bleeding incidence, intraoperative red blood cell transfusion units, postoperative fresh frozen plasma transfusion volumes and platelet concentrates transfusion units between the 2 groups (all P > .05). Ulinastatin reduces postoperative bleeding (WMD = -0.73, 95% CI: -1.17 to -0.28, P = .001) and red blood cell (RBC) transfusion (WMD = -0.70, 95% CI: -1.26 to -0.14, P = .01), inhibits hyperfibrinolysis as manifested by lower level of postoperative D-dimer (WMD = -0.87, 95% CI: -1.34 to -0.39, P = .0003).

CONCLUSION

This meta-analysis has found some evidence showing that Ulinastatin reduces postoperative bleeding and RBC transfusion in patients undergoing cardiac surgery. However, these findings should be interpreted rigorously. Further well-conducted trials are required to assess the blood-saving effects and mechanisms of Ulinastatin.

Multi-organ protection of ulinastatin in traumatic cardiac arrest model

Background

Post-cardiac arrest syndrome, which has no specific curative treatment, contributes to the high mortality rate of victims who suffer traumatic cardiac arrest (TCA) and initially can be resuscitated. In the present study, we investigated the potential of ulinastatin to mitigate multiple organ injury after resuscitation in a swine TCA model.

Methods

Twenty-one male pigs were subjected to hemodynamic shock (40% estimated blood loss in 20 min) followed by cardiac arrest (electrically induced ventricular fibrillation) and respiratory suspension for 5 min, and finally manual resuscitation. At 5 min after resuscitation, pigs were randomized to receive 80,000 U/kg ulinastatin (n = 7) or the same volume of saline (n = 9) in the TCA group. Pigs in the sham group (n = 5) were not exposed to bleeding or cardiac arrest. At baseline and at 1, 3, and 6 h after the return of spontaneous circulation, blood samples were collected and assayed for tumor necrosis factor-alpha, interleukin 6, and other indicators of organ injury. At 24 h after resuscitation, pigs were sacrificed and apoptosis levels were assessed in samples of heart, brain, kidney, and intestine.

Results

One pig died in the ulinastatin group and one pig died in the TCA group; the remaining animals were included in the final analysis. TCA and resuscitation caused significant increases in multiple organ function biomarkers in serum, increases in tumor necrosis factor-alpha, and interleukin 6 in serum and increases in the extent of apoptosis in key organs. All these increases were lower in the ulinastatin group.

Conclusion

Ulinastatin may attenuate multiple organ injury after TCA, which should be explored in clinical studies.

Electronic supplementary material

The online version of this article (10.1186/s13017-018-0212-3) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Ulinastatin did not reduce mortality in elderly multiple organ failure patients: a retrospective observational study in a single center ICU

Aim

Our aim was to evaluate the effect of ulinastatin on 28‐day mortality in patients who developed multiple organ failure (MOF) related to their acute illness and were admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU).

Methods

We carried out a retrospective observational study of MOF patients in a general ICU of a tertiary care hospital in Japan from January 2009 to December 2012. The primary outcome was 28‐day all‐cause mortality. Secondary outcomes were ventilator‐free days, ICU‐free days, and vasopressor‐free days at day 28. We investigated the association between ulinastatin treatment and outcomes using multivariable regression analysis.

Results

A total of 212 MOF patients were included, 79 (37%) of whom received ulinastatin. The median age was 70 years (interquartile range, 60–77) and median APACHE II score was 25 (interquartile range, 19–29). Overall 28‐day mortality was 20%. There were no significant differences between the ulinastatin group and the control group in age, gender, or APACHE II score. The ulinastatin group had higher prevalence of sepsis (44% versus 22%, P = 0.001). Multivariable logistic regression analysis showed that ulinastatin was not associated with 28‐day mortality (odds ratio = 1.22; 95% confidence interval, 0.54–2.79). Moreover, ulinastatin did not reduce the mortality in patients with sepsis (odds ratio = 1.92; 95% confidence interval, 0.52–7.13). However, ICU‐free days and ventilator‐free days was significantly fewer in the ulinastatin group than control group.

Conclusions

In this retrospective observational study, ulinastatin was not associated with mortality in elderly patients with established MOF, although it might be related to patient's utility.

Lack of Efficacy of Ulinastatin Therapy During Cardiopulmonary Bypass Surgery

Background:

It was believed that inflammatory response induced by cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) was blamed for complications after cardiac surgery. To improve the outcome, many pharmacological interventions have been applied to attenuate inflammatory response during CPB. The objective of this study was to investigate the effect of ulinastatin (urinary trypsin inhibitor [UTI]) on outcome after CPB surgery.

Methods:

Totally, 208 patients undergoing elective valves replacement between November 2013 and September 2014 were divided into Group U (n = 70) and Group C (n = 138) based on they received UTI or not. Categorical variables were compared between groups using Fisher's exact test, and continuous variables using unpaired Student's t-test or Mann–Whitney U-test. One-way analysis of variance and Dunnett's or Tukey's tests were used to compare values at different time points within the same group. The risk of outcomes was estimated and adjusted by multivariable logistic regression, propensity scoring, and mixed-effect models for all measured variables.

Results:

Both the serious complications in total, including death, acute lung injury, acute respiratory distress syndrome and acute kidney injury, and the other complications, including hemodialysis, infection, re-incubation, and tracheotomy were similar between the two groups (P > 0.05). After adjusted by multivariable logistic regression and the propensity score, UTI still cannot be found any benefit to improve any outcomes after cardiac surgery. Also, no statistical differences with regard to duration of postoperative mechanical ventilation, the length of Intensive Care Unit and hospital stays (P > 0.05).

Conclusion:

UTI did not improve postoperative outcomes in our patients after cardiopulmonary bypass surgery.

Continuous infusion of high-dose ulinastatin during surgery does not improve early postoperative clinical outcomes in patients undergoing radical lung cancer surgery: A pilot study

Background

Ulinastatin can prevent the perioperative increase in proinflammatory cytokines for lung resection surgery; however, its impact on early clinical outcomes remains unknown.

Methods

The study enrolled 108 non‐small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients who were randomly allocated into two groups: ulinastatin (group U) and control (group C). Patients in group U (n = 52) were continuously intravenously infused with ulinastatin at a rate of 20 000 U/kg/hour for the first hour after anesthesia induction, and then at a rate of 5000 U/kg/hour until the conclusion of surgery. Patients in group C (n = 56) received an equivalent volume of normal saline. The primary outcome was to record the postoperative pulmonary complications that occurred during hospital stay. Other clinical courses, such as hospital mortality, blood loss, respiratory parameters, postoperative chest drainage, and duration of intensive care unit and postoperative hospital stay, were also observed and analyzed.

Results

There were no significant differences between the two groups in early postoperative pulmonary complications, hospital mortality, blood loss, or other perioperative laboratory values, except for the duration of postoperative chest drainage and serum creatinine level. The frequency of pulmonary complications was lower in patients treated with ulinastatin compared with the control (38.46% in group U vs. 48.21% in group C).

Conclusion

Administration of high‐dose ulinastatin during surgery did not reduce postoperative pulmonary complications, hospital mortality, or hospital stay for patients undergoing lung radical thoracotomy. However, a protective trend of ulinastatin was observed.

Neuroprotective Effect of Ulinastatin on Spinal Cord Ischemia-Reperfusion Injury in Rabbits

Ulinastatin (UTI), a trypsin inhibitor, is isolated and purified from human urine and has been shown to exert protective effect on myocardial ischemia reperfusion injury in patients. The present study was aimed at investigating the effect of ulinastatin on neurologic functions after spinal cord ischemia reperfusion injury and the underlying mechanism. The spinal cord IR model was achieved by occluding the aorta just caudal to the left renal artery with a bulldog clamp. The drugs were administered immediately after the clamp was removed. The animals were terminated 48 hours after reperfusion. Neuronal function was evaluated with the Tarlov Scoring System. Spinal cord segments between L2 and L5 were harvested for pathological and biochemical analysis. Ulinastatin administration significantly improved postischemic neurologic function with concomitant reduction of apoptotic cell death. In addition, ulinastatin treatment increased SOD activity and decreased MDA content in the spinal cord tissue. Also, ulinastatin treatment suppressed the protein expressions of Bax and caspase-3 but enhanced Bcl-2 protein expression. These results suggest that ulinastatin significantly attenuates spinal cord ischemia-reperfusion injury and improves postischemic neuronal function and that this protection might be attributable to its antioxidant and antiapoptotic properties.

Effect of urinary protease inhibitor (ulinastatin) on cardiopulmonary bypass: a meta-analysis for China and Japan

OBJECTIVES

A meta-analysis was conducted to investigate the effects of ulinastatin treatment on adult patients undergoing cardiac surgery under cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB).

METHODS

Seven electronic databases were searched for reports of randomized, controlled trials conducted up to February 2014 in which patients undergoing cardiac surgery with CPB were administered ulinastatin in the perioperative period.

RESULTS

Fifty-two studies with 2025 patients were retained for analysis. The results showed that the ulinastatin can attenuate the plasma levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines and enhance the anti-inflammatory cytokine levels in patients undergoing cardiac surgery with CPB. Meanwhile, the ulinastatin had a significant beneficial effect on myocardial injury. The mean differences (MD) and 95% confidence intervals (95% CI) of biochemical markers were -63.54 (-79.36, -47.72) for lactate dehydrogenase, -224.99 (-304.83, -145.14) for creatine kinase, -8.75 (-14.23, -3.28) for creatine kinase-MB, and -0.14 (-0.20, -0.09] for troponin I (all P<0.01). However, neither hemodynamics nor cardiac function improved significantly, except that the MD and 95% CI of mean arterial pressure were 2.50 (0.19, 4.80) (P = 0.03). There were no statistically significant differences in the use of inotropes, postoperative bleeding, postoperative complications, the intensive care unit (ICU) stay, and the hospital stay; however, the frequency of auto resuscitation increased significantly (OR 1.98, 95%CI 1.19 to 3.30, P<0.01), the duration of intubation (MD -1.58, 95%CI -2.84 to -0.32, P<0.01) and the duration of mechanical ventilation (MD -3.29, 95%CI -4.41 to -2.17, P<0.01) shortened significantly in patients who were treated with ulinastatin.

CONCLUSIONS

Ulinastatin can reduce the plasma levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines and elevate anti-inflammatory cytokine in patients from China and Japan undergoing cardiac surgery with CPB. Ulinastatin treatment may have protective effects on myocardial injury, and can increase the frequency of auto resuscitation, shorten the duration of intubation and mechanical ventilation.

Ulinastatin prevents acute lung injury led by liver transplantation

BACKGROUND

Little is known regarding the effect of ulinastatin (UTI) on acute lung injury (ALI) induced by orthotopic liver transplantation. This study aims to investigate the protective effect of UTI on ALI induced by orthotopic autologous liver transplantation (OALT) in a rat model and to explore the potential underlying mechanism.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Rats were randomly allocated into the following four groups (n = 8 each): (i) sham control group (group sham); (ii) model group (underwent OALT) (group model); (iii) low-dose UTI-treated group (group u1), with UTI (50 U/g) administered intravenously both before the portal vein was occluded and after liver reperfusion started; and (iv) high-dose UTI-treated group (group uh), with UTI (100 U/g) given in the same way as group ul. The lung pathologic parameters, lung water content, and levels of tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-6, malondialdehyde (MDA), superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity, RanBP-type and C3HC4-type zinc finger-containing protein 1 (RBCK1), and peroxiredoxin-2 (Prx-2) were assessed 8 h after OALT was performed.

RESULTS

According to histology, there was severe damage in the lung of group model accompanied by increases in the TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-6, and MDA levels and decreases in SOD activity and the expression of RBCK1 and Prx-2. UTI treatment significantly reduced the pathologic scores, lung water content, and TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-6, and MDA levels while restoring the SOD activity and expression of RBCK1 and Prx-2. Furthermore, compared with group u1, treatment with a high dose of UTI resulted in a better protective effect on the lung when assessed by the TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-6, and MDA levels and SOD activity.

CONCLUSIONS

UTI dose-dependently attenuates ALI that is induced by OALT in this rat model, which is mainly due to the suppression of the inflammatory response and oxidant stress, which may, in turn, be mediated by the upregulation of RBCK1 and Prx-2 expression.