PLASMA INTERLEUKIN-8 AND POLYMORPHONUCLEAR LEUKOCYTE ELASTASE CONCENTRATIONS IN PATIENTS WITH SEPTIC SHOCK

We determined the plasma concentrations of interleukin 8 (IL-8), polym orphonuclear leukocyte elastase (PMNE), and endotoxin in patients with septic shock in order to investigate the role of IL-8 and PMNE in the development of septic shock, especially in septic adult respiratory d istress syndrome (ARDS). The IL-8 concentration in patients with septi c shock was 6.28 +/- 9.00 ng/mL (mean +/- SD, n = 29), which was signi ficantly higher (P < 0.0001) than the concentration in septic patients without shock (0.35 +/- 0.35 ng/mL, n = 40). There was a significant correlation between the IL-8 concentration and the PMNE concentration at the onset of septic shock Ir = 0.6916, P < 0.0001). The IL-8 concen tration teas also significantly correlated with the endotoxin concentr ation Ir = 0.5584, P = 0.0016). There was a significant negative corre lation (r = -0.8237, P < 0.0001) between the serum PMNE concentration and the oxygenation index (PaO2/FiO(2) at the onset of septic shock. T hese results indicate that IL-8 and PMNE are produced in large quantit ies when septic shock occurs, and may play a role in the development o f septic ARDS. (C) 1995 Wiley-Liss, Inc.