Relationship between postoperative cognitive dysfunction and the expression ofα1-antichymotrypsin in plasma

Objective To investigate the relationship between the expression ofα1-antichymotrypsin(α1-ACT)in plasma and postoperative cognitive dysfunction(POCD).Methods The cognitive function of 64patients undergoing operation under general anesthesia was evaluated by a battery of cognitive assessment instruments(BCAI)and the levels ofα1-ACT were measured at the time 1dpreoperatively and 7dand 3 months postoperatively.The patients were randomly divided into two groups:30patients in ulinastatin group(group U)were injected with 10 000U/kg ulinastatin,which was dissolved in 100ml saline,within 20min at the time of 30minutes before induction;while control group(group C)were injected with the same volume saline.Results There was no significant difference between the expression ofα1-antichymotrypsin in patients with POCD and in control patients at the time before operation.Compared with control patients,the levels ofα1-ACT in patients with POCD at the time of 7dand 3months postoperation were significantly higher(P0.05).The levels ofα1-ACT at 7dpostoperation were significantly higher than that preoperatively in both groups(P0.05).The incidence of POCD in group U were significantly lower than that in group C,at the time of 7dand 3months after surgery(P0.05).Conclusion POCD is associated with high expression of plasmaα1-ACT.