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Circulating leptin and the perioperative neuroendocrinological stress response after pediatric cardiac surgery
D Modan-Moses1, S Ehrlich, H Kanety
1Department of Pediatric Intensive Care, The Chaim Sheba Medical Center, Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Hashomer, Israel.
Insights
Leptin levels decrease during cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) surgery and then rise postoperatively, inversely correlating with cortisol. This suggests leptin
Area of Science:
- Endocrinology
- Pediatric Surgery
- Inflammation Research
Background:
- Leptin, a hormone involved in appetite regulation, may play a role in the acute stress response.
- Critically ill patients exhibit altered leptin secretion patterns in response to stress and inflammation.
- Understanding leptin dynamics after cardiac surgery is crucial for managing postoperative stress and inflammation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To characterize leptin secretion patterns in children undergoing cardiac surgery.
- To compare leptin level changes with cortisol, interleukin-8 (IL-8), and clinical parameters.
- To investigate the relationship between leptin and stress markers post-cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB).
Main Methods:
- An investigative study was conducted at a tertiary care hospital.
- Twenty-nine pediatric patients (6 days to 15 years) undergoing congenital heart defect correction were enrolled.
- Leptin, cortisol, and IL-8 levels were measured preoperatively, during CPB, and at multiple time points postoperatively.
Main Results:
- Leptin levels decreased during CPB and rose postoperatively, with an inverse correlation to cortisol levels.
- Cortisol levels increased during surgery and returned to baseline postoperatively, correlating with IL-8 levels.
- Patients with complications like leukocytosis or hypotension showed lower leptin levels and less variation.
Conclusions:
- Cardiopulmonary bypass surgery significantly alters circulating leptin levels in children.
- Leptin level changes are associated with cortisol and IL-8, indicating a role in the acute stress response.
- Further research is warranted to explore the prognostic and therapeutic potential of leptin after CPB.
Objective:
Leptin may be involved in the acute stress response, regulating inflammatory parameters of major importance after cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) surgery. Critically ill patients demonstrated significant increases in leptin levels in response to stress-related cytokines (tumor necrosis factor, interleukin [IL]-1) and abolishment of the circadian rhythm of leptin secretion. We characterized the pattern of leptin secretion in the acute postoperative period in children undergoing cardiac surgery and compared the changes in leptin levels with concomitantly occurring changes in cortisol levels, IL-8, and clinical parameters.
Design:
Investigative study.
Setting:
University-affiliated tertiary care hospital.
Participants And Interventions:
Twenty-nine consecutive patients, aged 6 days to 15 yrs, operated upon for the correction of congenital heart defects were studied. Surgery in 20 patients (group 1) involved conventional CPB techniques, and 9 (group 2) underwent closed-heart surgery. The time courses of leptin, cortisol, and IL-8 levels were determined. Serial blood samples were collected preoperatively, on termination of CPB, and at six time points postoperatively. Plasma was recovered immediately, aliquoted, and frozen at -70 degrees C until use.
Measurements And Main Results:
The leptin levels in group 1 decreased during CPB to 51% of baseline (p <.001), then gradually increased, reaching 120% of baseline levels at 12-18 hrs postoperatively (p <.001), returning to baseline levels at 24 hrs (p <.01). In patients undergoing closed-heart surgery (group 2), leptin levels displayed a pattern resembling the first group: they decreased during surgery to 71% of baseline levels (p =.002) and showed a tendency to return to baseline thereafter. All group 1 patients' cortisol levels increased significantly during the first hour of surgery, then decreased, returning to baseline levels at 18-24 hrs postoperatively. There was a significant negative correlation between leptin and cortisol levels (r = -2.8, p <.01). In group 2, cortisol levels increased during and after surgery, peaking 4 hrs postoperatively and decreasing thereafter. IL-8 levels determined in 15 group 1 patients increased significantly during CPB, peaked at the end of surgery, and then decreased but remained slightly elevated even at 48 hrs postoperatively. There was a significant correlation between cortisol and IL-8 levels (r = 2.55, p <.05). Children with leukocytosis, tachycardia, and hypotension had lower leptin levels and less variation over time as opposed to those with an uncomplicated course.
Conclusions:
CPB is associated with acute changes in circulating leptin levels. These changes parallel those in cortisol, demonstrating an inverse relationship between leptin and cortisol. Further studies of the prognostic and therapeutic roles of leptin after CPB should be investigated.