Effects of Pantoprazole on Systemic and Gastric Pro- and Anti-inflammatory Cytokines in Critically Ill Patients

Abstract

Stress-related mucosal damage (SRMD) is a significant cause of morbidity and mortality in critically ill patients due to the gastrointestinal blood loss. Prophylaxis of SRMD with proton pump inhibitors or histamine-2 blockers has gained widespread use in intensive care units. Both demonstrated to be effective in reducing clinically significant bleedings, while PPIs has shown to exert some anti inflammatory effects including the inhibition of producing pro-inflammatory cytokines. As cytokines have role in developing SRMD, the aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of PPIs on the inhibition of cytokine release following the critical illness.