NITRITE NITRATE (NOX) AND TYPE-II PHOSPHOLIPASE A(2), LEUKOTRIENE B-4, AND PLATELET-ACTIVATING-FACTOR LEVELS IN PATIENTS WITH SEPTIC SHOCK/

We measured serum concentrations of nitrite/nitrate (NOX), type II pho spholipase A(2) (PLA(2)), leukotriene B-4 (LTB(4)), and platelet-activ ating factor (PAF) in patients with sepsis. These findings were compar ed between patients with and without septic shock. Serum concentration s of NOX, type II PLA(2), LTB(4), and PAF acetylhydrolase (PAF-AH) wer e significantly higher in the group with septic shock (P<0.0001; P=0.0 060; P=0.0052; P=0.0052), indicating the severity of the disease. Ther e were significant correlations between the serum NOX level and serum levels of type II PLA(2), LTB(4), and PAF-AH (r=0.6890, P<0.0001; r=0. 3755, P=0.0409; r=0.5095, P=0.0040, respectively). It is speculated th at LTB(4) and PAF, both produced with type II PLA(2), interact with ea ch other and are involved in the deterioration of pathologic features associated with sepsis. Furthermore, nitric oxide (NO) and eicosanoids interact to play an important role in vascular dilatation during sept ic shock.