PLASMA CYTOKINES AND ENDOTOXIN LEVELS IN PATIENTS WITH SEVERE INJURY AND THEIR RELATIONSHIP WITH ORGAN DAMAGE

In 17 patients plasma TNF-alpha and IL-8 were assayed with enzyme-link ed immunosorbent assay. IL-6 activity in plasma was determined by bioa ssay with IL-6-dependent cell line 7TD1. The limulus amoebocyte lysate chromogenic test was used for plasma endotoxin assay. Plasma cytokine levels in injured patients were significantly increased. Plasma TNF-a lpha was shown to be increased earlier, while an increase in plasma IL -6 and IL-8 levels occurred late, all of which were shown to be signif icantly positively correlated with ISS, cardiac and hepatic enzyme act ivities, and index of renal function. In addition, obvious endotoxaemi a occurred at an early stage of injuries, which was respectively signi ficantly correlated with ISS and plasma TNF-alpha, IL-6 and IL-8 level s. Severe injuries could induce increased successive release of TNF-al pha, IL-6 and IL-8, and obvious endotoxaemia. The post injury release of cytokines might be related to endotoxaemia, and may play an importa nt role in the development of organ damage after injury. (C) 1997 Else vier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.