INCREASED SOLUBLE INTERLEUKIN-1 TYPE-II RECEPTOR CONCENTRATIONS IN POSTOPERATIVE-PATIENTS AND IN PATIENTS WITH SEPSIS SYNDROME

Plasma interleukin-1 (IL-1) activity is modulated in part through the simultaneous appearance of several inhibitors of IL-1 action, includin g interleukin-1 receptor antagonist (IL-1ra) and the soluble IL-1 type II receptor (IL-1RII), However, little is known concerning the plasma appearance of these inhibitors in patients following operative trauma or those with sepsis syndrome. In the present report, plasma IL-1 bet a, IL-1ra, and soluble IL-1RI and IL-1RII concentrations were evaluate d in 118 patients with sepsis syndrome or after elective operative tra uma. Plasma concentrations of IL-1ra increased significantly following elective operative repair of thoraco-abdominal and abdominal aortic a neurysms, and after bower resection for inflammatory bower disease, bu t did not increase after laparoscopic cholecystectomy. Plasma IL-1ra l evels were also elevated in patients with sepsis syndrome. In contrast , soluble IL-1RII levels were only increased in patients after operati ve repair of thoraco-abdominal aortic aneurysms and in sepsis syndrome , whereas concentrations were unaffected by the other more modest surg ical procedures, Plasma IL-1RI concentrations decreased in all postope rative patients in the first 24 hours after surgery. We conclude that both plasma IL-1ra and soluble IL-1RII concentrations often increase i n sepsis and following some operative trauma. Less severe operative tr auma increases the plasma concentration of only IL-1ra, whereas both I L-1ra and soluble IL-1RII are increased in patients with sepsis syndro me or following thoraco-abdominal aneurysm repair. (C) 1996 by The Ame rican Society of Hematology.