THE SIGNIFICANCE OF CHANGES IN SERUM TUMOR-NECROSIS-FACTOR (TNF) ACTIVITY IN SEVERELY BURNED PATIENTS

In order to explain the pathogenesis of postburn internal organ injury (OI) and multiple organ failure (MOF), serum TNF activity was measure d by biological assay in 24 severely burned patients. Parameters relat ed to internal organ functions were simultaneously measured, The resul ts showed an obvious increase in serum TNF activity accompanied by inc reased serum myocardial and hepatic enzymes, plasma lactate and aggreg ations of WBC in internal organ tissues. Serum protein levels decrease d substantially. These changes were more marked in patients suffering from both OI and MOF. It is suggested that large amounts of TNF are pr oduced postburn and might have an important role in the development of OI and MOF