The sialyl Lewis X analogue, CY-1503, down-regulates leucocyte-endothelium interactions and the inflammatory response

Objective: To elucidate mechanisms of protection of ischaemic liver with the sialyl Lewis X analogue CY-1503 by regulation of inflammatory mediators such as oxygen free radicals and cytokines as well as blocking the migration of leucocytes. Design: Laboratory study. Setting: Teaching hospital, Spain. Animals: 122 male Sprague-Dawley rats divided into four groups: normal (n = 18), sham-operated (n = 28), ischaemic controls (n = 38), and CY-1503 (n = 38). Interventions: Warm total hepatic ischaemia for 90 minutes followed by various periods of reperfusion. Main outcome measures: Survival, liver histology, liver function, neutrophil infiltration, and free radical and cytokine concentrations. Results: 2/20 ischaemic controls survived, compared with 14/20 given CY-1503. Liver function was better, as was histological appearance (judged by the Suzuki score); myeloperoxidase activity was significantly decreased (n = 6 in each group, p < 0.01) as were concentrations of free radicals (n = 12 in each group, p