Analysis of plasma edothelin and calcitonin gene-related peptide in aged patients undergoing laparoscopic cholecystectomy

Abstract

Objective To investigate the effects of laparoscopic cholecystectomy on the plasma levels of endothelin and calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP)in elderly patients. Methods Sixty patients undergoing elective laoaroscopic cholecystectomy were divided into ＜65 years old group and ＞65 years old group according to their ages (30 cases in each group). The plasma levels of endothelin and CGRP were measured before surgery, after intubation, at the time of gallbladder removal, immediately after surgery and 24 hours after surgery by radioimmunoassay. Results There was no significant difference in endothelin levels between the two groups before the surgery (t=0.971, P＞0.05). The endothelin levels in both groups gradually increased after the intubation, but more significantly in the ＞ 65 years old group (t=4.258, P＜0.05). The increased endothelin levels were maintained during the surgery in both groups, but they were higher in the ＞65years old group (t=5.134,P＜0.01 ). When the surgery was completed, the level of endothelin in the ＞65 years old group continued to increase, but it decreased in the ＜65 years old group, and there was significantly difference between the two groups(t=6.627, P＜0.01 ). Endothelin levels in both groups at 24 hours after the surgery returned to the levels before surgery, and there was no significant difference between the two groups (t=1.917, P＞0.05). The CGRP levels had not significantly changed during the perioperative period in the ＜65 years old group. In the ＞65 years old group, CGRP levels decreased after anaesthesia, but increased during the surgery, and then reached the highest level at the time of the surgery completed. CGRP levels were significant difference between the two groups after intubation and immediately after surgery (t=4.084 and t=4.085, P＜0.05). Conclusion The levels of endothelin and CGRP had significantly changed elderly patients than those in young patients, especially for endothelin. Key words: Cholecystectomy; Aged; Anaesthesia; Calcitonin gene-related peptide; Endothelins