NITRITE NITRATE OXIDE (NOX) AND CYTOKINE LEVELS IN PATIENTS WITH SEPTIC SHOCK

To investigate the involvement of nitrite/nitrate oxide (NOx) in septi c shock, and to evaluate the relationships between NOx and cytokines i n patients with this disorder we evaluated 11 patients with septic sho ck and 12 patients with sepsis unassociated with shock. NOx were measu red with an automated system based on the Griess reaction. The plasma concentrations of various cytokines were determined by enzyme-linked i mmunosorbent assay. Endotoxin was determined by a specific assay after the plasma samples were processed by a perchloric acid method. The me an plasma levels of NOx in the group with shock significantly exceeded those in the group without shock. Significant correlations were obser ved between the plasma levels of NOx and those of endotoxin, tumor nec rosis factor-alpha, and interleukin 8 in both groups. NOx appeared to be involved in the development of septic shock in humans. Endotoxin an d cytokines appeared to be involved in the production of NOx.