However, unlike leptin and resistin, which stimulate the immune system, adiponectin inhibits the inflammatory process in the vascular wall, mainly by inhibiting the nuclear factor kappa B pathway.2 The pro-inflammatory state associated with the MS may play a contributory role in exacerbation of the systemic inflammatory response induced by cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) and surgical trauma, and therefore may predispose patients to peri-operative complications.8 This evidence concerns the gene RETN and myeloid sarcoma.