[Protective effect of dexmedetomidine against perioperative inflammation and on pulmonary function in patients undergoing radical resection of lung cancer]

Abstract

Objective: To study the protective effect of dexmedetomidine against perioperative inflammation and on pulmonary function in patients undergoing radical resection of lung cancer.

Methods: From May, 2014 to May, 2016, 124 patients with lung cancer receiving radical surgeries were randomized into experimental group (n=62) and control group (n=62). The patients in the control group received a single anesthetic agent for anesthesia, and additional dexmedetomidine was given in the experimental group. The levels of serum interleukin-1β (IL-1β), IL-10, and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) were measured before the operation (T₀), at 30 min (T₁) and 60 min (T₂) during one lung ventilation (OLV) and at the end of operation (T₃). Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was used to determine the levels of malondialdehyde (MDA), myeloperoxidase (MPO) and xanthine oxidase (XOD), and the arterial oxygen partial pressure (PaO₂), oxygenation index (OI), airway plateau pressure (APP) and airway resistance (AR) were also recorded.

Results: At the time points of T₁ and T₂, IL-1β, IL-10, MDA, MPO, TNF-α, and XOD levels were significantly increased in both of the groups, but the levels of IL-1, IL-10, TNF-α and MDA were significantly lower and MPO and XOD levels significantly higher in the experimental group than in the control group (P<0.05). In both groups, PaO₂ and OI decreased and APP and AR increased significantly at T₁ and T₂, but APP and AR were significantly lower and PaO₂ and OI significantly higher in the experimental group than in the control group (P<0.05).

Conclusion: Anesthesia with dexmedetomidine in lung cancer patients undergoing radical surgery can effectively reduce the inflammatory response of the lungs and protect the lung function of the patients.