Age-Related Changes in the T Helper ۱۷ and Regulatory T Cell-Related Cytokines During Cardiac Surgery

Background: The age-associated dysregulated immune response may partly contribute to the greater mortality and morbidity in elderly patients undergoing cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB). The aim of the present study was to first investigate the possible relation between age and levels of interleukin (IL)-۱۷ and IL-۳۵ in CPB patients. Methods: In general, ۹۰ patients undergoing CPB from February ۲۰۱۸ to March ۲۰۱۹ in Jorjani Heart Center, Bandar Abbas, were enrolled in this cross-sectional study. IL-۳۵ and IL-۱۷A were measured before and ۱۲ hours after CPB using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The relation of age and the mentioned cytokines was assessed in patients<۷۰ and≥۷۰ years old. Results: IL-۱۷A levels were slightly increased (۲۵.۷±۸.۷ ng/mL versus ۲۰.۹±۶.۳ ng/mL), while IL-۳۵ levels represented a slight decrease (۲۰.۶±۱۰ ng/mL versus ۲۳.۲±۱۱.۹ ng/mL) in CPB patients≥۷۰ years in comparison with those below ۷۰ years (P>۰.۰۵). There was a positive correlation between IL-۱۷ and age (r=۰.۴, P=۰.۰۰۲) in patients older than ۷۰ years. Eventually, IL-۳۵ was negatively associated with age (r=-۰.۲, P=۰.۰۳) in≥۷۰ years patients. Conclusion: These data suggested that the age-related elevation of IL-۱۷A levels, as well as a decline in the IL-۳۵ serum concentration, contributing to the imbalanced pro- and anti-inflammatory response, may play a crucial role in the stronger adverse post-CPB outcomes in the elderly.