The effect of hydroxyethyl starch and other plasma volume substitutes on endothelial cell activation; an in vitro study.

OBJECTIVE

To study the effect of medium molecular weight hydroxyethyl starches on endothelial cell and neutrophil activation in vitro.

SETTING

Laboratory analysis.

METHODS

The effects of albumin and hydroxyethyl starch on the neutrophil adhesion molecule (CD11bCD18), with and without lipopolysaccharide stimulation, were studied in whole blood. E-selectin expression on human umbilical vein endothelial cells was stimulated with lipopolysaccharide alone and in the presence of either albumin or hydroxyethyl starch. The effect of albumin and hydroxyethyl starches on rapid endothelial cell activation was studied using von Willebrand factor release as a marker.

MEASUREMENTS AND RESULTS

Hydroxyethyl starches but not albumin inhibited stimulated vWF release in a dose dependent manner. No effect was seen on endothelial E-selectin or neutrophil CD11bCD18 expression.

CONCLUSIONS

these results suggest a possible beneficial role of hydroxyethyl starches in the inhibition of endothelial activation thus preventing neutrophil adhesion during sepsis syndrome.