Doxycycline can reduce glycocalyx shedding by inhibiting matrix metalloproteinases in patients undergoing cardiopulmonary bypass: A randomized controlled trial

•Glycocalyx plays an essential role in maintaining endothelial cell function.•Cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) leads to shedding of the glycocalyx of endothelial cells, resulting in a series of complications such as tissue edema and coagulatory and microcirculatory dysfunctions.•Matrix metalloproteinases in plasma were significantly elevated during cardiopulmonary bypass and was positively correlated with the glycocalyx shedding in plasma.•Doxycycline can reduce glycocalyx shedding and improve the clinical prognosis of patients by inhibiting MMPs during cardiopulmonary bypass.