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Serum tau protein and myelin basic protein in pediatric patients with congenital heart defects undergoing cardiac surgery: preliminary assessment as novel neuromarkers of brain injury

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Abstract

Introduction

Neurological impairment is a big concern in the development of patients with congenital heart defects (CHD). A number of neuromarkers have been studied in search of a diagnostic or prognostic marker for brain injury during the vulnerable perioperative period. Our aim was to assess two novel neuromarkers, myelin basic protein (MBP) and protein Tau (pTau), as diagnostic markers for brain injury in perioperative period in children with CHD.

Methods

Forty patients were enrolled and dichotomized based on peripheric oxygen saturation in cyanotic and non-cyanotic group. Blood samples were collected preoperative, after the induction of anesthesia, and in postoperative day 1. Neuromarker concentrations were measured using commercially available ELISA kits.

Results

Neuromarkers’ values were increased postoperative, with statistical significance reached only in non-cyanotic group (p < 0.0001). A significant positive correlation was observed between preoperatory MBP and albumin level, hemoglobin level, height, and weight of patients. Association with cerebral saturations were analyzed by a coefficient defined as ≥ 20% reduction in cerebral saturation measured by near-infrared spectroscopy during perioperative period. An acceptable predicting model was observed with pTau in cyanotic group (AUC = 0.7).

Conclusion

We evaluated MBP and pTau as potential biomarkers of brain injury in children with CHD undergoing cardiac surgery. Elevated postoperative pTau and MBP concentrations were observed in both groups. Elevated pTau values were associated with perioperative hypoxemia.

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Acknowledgements

The authors would like to thank Mihaita George Gavra and Liliana Demian for their help in laboratory work.

Funding

This work was supported by the University of Medicine, Pharmacy, Science and Technology “George Emil Palade,” Targu Mures, Research Grant number 510/3/17.01.2022. The funders had no role in study design, data collection and analysis, decision to publish, or preparation of the manuscript.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Pediatric Cardiology, Emergency Institute for Cardiovascular Diseases and Heart Transplant, 50 Gheorghe Marinescu Street, 540136, Târgu Mureș, Romania

    Lacramioara Eliza Chiperi

  2. Doctoral School, George Emil Palade University of Medicine, Pharmacy, Sciences and Technology, Târgu Mureș, Romania

    Lacramioara Eliza Chiperi

  3. Department of Neurosciences, Iuliu Hatieganu University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Cluj-Napoca, Romania

    Cristina Tecar

  4. Department of Laboratory Medicine, George Emil Palade University of Medicine, Pharmacy, Sciences and Technology, Târgu Mureș, Romania

    Adina Huţanu

  5. Laboratory of Humoral Immunology, Center for Advanced Medical and Pharmaceutical Research, George Emil Palade University of Medicine, Pharmacy, Sciences and Technology, Târgu Mureș, Romania

    Adina Huţanu

Authors
  1. Lacramioara Eliza Chiperi
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  2. Cristina Tecar
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  3. Adina Huţanu
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Contributions

L-EC: conception and design of the work; acquisition, analysis, and interpretation of data for the work; drafting the manuscript; approval of the final manuscript; accountable for all aspects of the work; obtained fundings; gathered materials for the work; collected data and processed it; responsible for the analysis and interpretation of data; review the literature; wrote the manuscript; part of laboratory work; accountable for all aspects of the work. CT: review the literature; wrote a part of the manuscript; critically revising the manuscript for important intellectual content; approval of the final manuscript; accountable for all aspects of the work. Adina Huţanu: underdone the laboratory work; critically revising the manuscript for important intellectual content; approval of the final manuscript

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Correspondence to Lacramioara Eliza Chiperi.

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Document number 1161 form October 26, 2020—Ethics committee of George Emil Palade University of Medicine, Pharmacy, Sciences and Technology of Targu Mures, Romania.

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Chiperi, L.E., Tecar, C. & Huţanu, A. Serum tau protein and myelin basic protein in pediatric patients with congenital heart defects undergoing cardiac surgery: preliminary assessment as novel neuromarkers of brain injury. Ir J Med Sci 193, 1229–1237 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11845-023-03582-5

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11845-023-03582-5

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