ANTIINFLAMMATORY CYTOKINE LEVELS IN PATIENTS WITH SEPTIC SHOCK

We measured the plasma levels of anti-inflammatory cytokines, includin g interleukin I receptor antagonist (IL-1ra), IL-4 and IL-IO; inflamma tory cytokines, including IL-2, IL-6, IL-8 and tumor necrosis factor r eceptor I and II (TNFR I and TNFR II); and endotoxin in II patients wi th septic shock associated with gram-negative bacteria and 12 patients with sepsis not associated with shock. The plasma levels of IL-1ra an d IL-IO were elevated in the septic shock group compared with the seps is group. TNFR I and TNFR II levels tend to be higher in the septic sh ock group. The plasma level of TNF-a was significantly correlated with levels of IL-1ra, IL-4, IL-LO, TNFR I, and TNFR II, The elevated leve ls of the anti-inflammatory cytokines, TNFR I, and TNFR II, appeared t o reflect an attempt to suppress the shock syndrome.