Perioperative Plasma Levels of Glycocalyx Markers in Colon Surgery.

BACKGROUND: The endothelial glycocalyx (EG) is a complex layer of macromolecules that lines the luminal surface of the vascular endothelium. This concept was proposed more than 70 years ago and its composition is well studied as detailed in two reviews (1, 2). However, its role in the mechanisms of endothelial protection and injury, and its subsequent clinical implications, have recently become evident. The EG consists of a variety of molecules, including glycoproteins and proteoglycans, that provide the basis for plasma-endothelial cell interaction. The structure of EG, although well characterized in vitro, is poorly defined in vivo because its composition changes dynamically by self-assembly and shear-dependent enzymatic degradation or detachment of its elements. Its major components are hyaluronic acid, proteoglycans (PG) such as syndecan-1, glycoproteins, plasma proteins and glycosaminoglycans (GAG), whose main component is Heparan Sulfate. The EG as a whole forms an endothelial surface layer that acts as a barrier to circulating cells and large molecules. Considerable prognostic-therapeutic promise lies in the emergence of the EG as a key mediator of endothelial dysfunction in pathogenic states, particularly with respect to vascular permeability and edema formation. Several studies have demonstrated the role of EG in plasma/interstitial fluid balance (3,4,5), mechano-transduction that couples intravascular pressure, and endothelial cell responses, i.e., biochemical signals, (6) to the inflammatory response cascade (7,8,9). EG damage affects a number of important endothelial cell functions leading to impaired mechano-transduction with changes in fluid passage (6,10), activation of coagulation pathways (11), leukocyte adhesion (7,11 ) and platelets (12) to the surface of endothelial cells, and leakage of fluid and plasma proteins into the interstitium (13,14), resulting in tissue edema (15). The specific pathophysiological triggers that lead to EG damage are still actively investigated and remain poorly understood. Nevertheless, EG protection appears to be a promising target in many clinical scenarios, especially since its degradation is closely associated with the pathophysiology of inflammation, capillary leak, and edema formation in various injuries and disease states; including ischemia/reperfusion, hypoxia, inflammation, trauma, hypervolemia, atherosclerosis, diabetes, and hypertension (16). In patients undergoing major abdominal surgery (including digestive, urological, gynecological or other surgery) there is very little information on the potential endothelial damage secondary to surgery (19). There are some reviews that have studied the damage of the EG in septic patients of medical and surgical origin (17, 18). However, in relation to digestive abdominal surgery, and specifically in colorectal surgery, only one study has been carried out, with only 18 patients undergoing colectomy (without mentioning the pathologies) and they are included with other patients of major abdominal surgery of the pancreas, liver, gynecology and urology (19).

EXPECTED RESULTS: In this study, it is expected that in the patients who underwent elective surgery, the markers of glycocalyx damage will increase their values in the postoperative laboratory tests compared to the values of the baseline (control) laboratory tests. It is equally expected that in patients undergoing urgent surgery, generally in clinical states of occlusion, perforation or sepsis, with activation of the inflammatory response, dehydration with decreased oncotic pressure and generation of tissue edema and third space, the markers of damage of glycocalyx are already elevated in the baseline analysis, with a maintenance or greater elevation of its values in the postoperative period. Likewise, a correlation would be expected between glycocalyx damage markers and other markers involved in the inflammatory response, such as leukocytes, C-reactive protein, procalcitonin, and lactate; as well as with associated patient comorbidities that lead to endothelial degeneration, such as high blood pressure, obesity, diabetes, atherosclerosis, etc. If the results of this study were as expected, glycocalyx damage markers (Heparan sulfate and Syndecan-1) could be used together with other inflammatory markers (C-reactive protein, procalcitonin, etc.) and be very useful in postoperative follow-up. of surgical patients, being able to anticipate possible postoperative complications. However, if elevations in glycocalyx markers were not observed in the perioperative period, it could be due to a lack of the number of Time-course determinations; that is to say, that an elevation of markers did occur, but we would not have detected it in the measurement times; or a larger study population might also be needed. In either case, the study could be completed in subsequent research projects.

OBJECTIVES:

Primary Objectives: To estimate the plasma levels of the 2 most representative markers of damage to the endothelial glycocalyx (Heparan-sulphate and Syndecan-1) in patients undergoing colorectal surgery during the perioperative period ("time-course").

Secondary Objectives:

• To analyze a possible correlation of the Syndecan-1 and Heparan-sulphate levels with other analytical parameters (C-reactive protein, procalcitonin, lactate, blood count, coagulation and basic biochemistry).
• To analyze the possible relationof glycocalyx damage markers with different parameters depending on the patient (age, sex and associated comorbidities) and the surgical intervention (surgical time, approach route, type of surgery…).
• To analyze the possible relation of endothelial glycocalyx damage markers with other clinical parameters that may indicate a possible post-operative complication.

DESIGN METHODOLOGY: It is a clinical, prospective, observational, and longitudinal study of single-centre groups (Hospital Lluís Alcanyís, Xàtiva). Always after the approval of the Research Ethics Committee of said Hospital.

STUDY POPULATION: The study population (value of n ) has been calculated on a population of 100 patients who will undergo surgery approximately a year. With a confidence level of 95% and a margin of error of 5%, a sample size of 80 patients has been calculated. Said 80 patients will be older than age, men and women, undergoing elective or emergency colorectal surgery (right hemicolectomy, extended right hemicolectomy, left hemicolectomy, sigmoidectomy, anterior resection of the rectum or abdominoperineal amputation).

SELECTION OF PATIENTS AND INFORMED CONSENT: Selection of patients and the drafting of the informed consent documents will be carried out in a reasoned manner as established in article 32 of the Helsinki Declaration and in article 58.2 of the Biomedical Research Law. It must be considered taking into account the Declaration of Helsinki of the World Medical Association in its latest revision. And according to its latest version of the Declaration of Helsinki of Fortaleza (Brazil) October 2013. Patients will be included in the study upon preoperative hospital admission, after verifying compliance with the inclusion criteria. To participate, the signature of the informed consent will be required.