Effects of pre-operative administration of steroids on the serum interleukin (IL)-6, IL-8 and organ injuries in replacement of thoracic aorta

To investigate whether pre-operative steroids administration decreases the post-operative serum IL-6, IL-8 and prevents organ injuries, we prospectively studied patients undergoing elective replacement of thoracic aorta using an extracorporeal circulation. Six of 10 patients (group S) were pretreated with methylprednisolone 500 mg 2 hours before operation while the other 4 patients (group C) were not. Though post-operative serum IL-6, IL-8, C-reactive protein and amylase elevated in group C, the elevations were significantly decreased in group S (p < 0.05). These findings show that in replacement of thoracic aorta, pre-operative steroid administration decreases the post-operative elevations of serum inflammatory cytokines (IL-6 and IL-8) and may prevent organ injuries.