Interleukin-1, interleukin-2 and interleukin-10 expression in different techniques of saphenous vein harvesting

Levels of the cytokines Interleukin-1 (IL-1), IL-2, and IL-10 are sensitive to the traumatic effect of saphenous vein harvesting. Their levels are compared between the endoscopic and traditional open techniques of harvesting.

Samples of human saphenous veins were harvested from 90 randomly selected patients undergoing coronary artery bypass surgery (CABG), using the open or endoscopic techniques. Endothelial cells collected from the vein samples retrieved through both techniques were cultured for 72 hours. Pre and postoperative sera, in addition to the supernatants from the cultures, were analyzed for IL-1, IL-2, and IL-10 using ELISA.

Mean preoperative concentrations of IL-1, Il-2, and IL-10 were 0.11+/- 0.04, 0.09 +/- 0.04, and 0.09 +/- 0.04 pg/ml, respectively. Corresponding values for postoperative sera were 0.13 +/- 0.08, 0.12 +/- 0.10, 0.14 +/- 0.17 pg/ml, respectively. The differences between pre and postoperative means for each cytokine were not statistically significant (p = 0.13, 0.18, 0.05, respectively). Mean IL-1, IL-2, and IL-10 concentrations for endothelial cell culture supernatants did not differ significantly between the endoscopic (0.17 +/- 0.11, 0.11 +/- 0.05, and 0.32 +/- 0.40 pg/ml, respectively) and the open method (0.19 +/- 0.16, 0.11 +/- 0.05, and 0.46 +/- 0.80 pg/ml, respectively) (p = 0.48, 0.81, 0.30, respectively).

Since endoscopic and open saphenectomies are technically comparable with respect to their effects on IL-1, Il-2, and IL-10 levels, we recommend the endoscopic method for its lower morbidity and the potential for earlier hospital discharge.