[The immunomodulating properties of vitamin E in surgery involving artificial circulation]

The immunomodulating effect of vitamin E was studied in 21 patients who underwent operation on an open heart. The vitamin was administered in a dose of 40 mg/kg 3.5 hours before the operation for anti-ischemic protection in cardiosurgical operations with extracorporeal circulation. The immune status was evaluated according to the level of phagocytosis, the index of leukocyte migration, the total leukocyte count, the number of immune complexes, and the immunoglobulin level. An immunodepressive effect of extracorporeal circulation was noted. The postoperative phagocytosis values were higher (p less than 0.05) in patients given vitamin E. The postoperative leukocytosis level was lower (p less than 0.01) than in the control group and the leukocyte response to mitogen remained adequate, in contrast to that in the control group. No statistically significant differences in the level of immune complexes and immunoglobulins were obtained. It is concluded that the degree of immunodepression in the postoperative period decreases in patients given vitamin E in the indicated dose before the operation.