Quantitative analysis of proinflammatory cytokines (IL-1 beta, IL-6, TNF-alpha) in human skin wounds

Proinflammatory cytokines play an important role in the mediation of inflam mation and trauma. They could be useful fur the determination of vitality a nd wound age. In the present study, 144 human skin wounds due to sharp Forc e were investigated. The material was collected during operations (N=96) an d postmortem examinations (N=48). The wound age varied From several seconds or minutes to 9 days. Control shin was available in each individual. The t issue specimens were homogenized and extracted in a solution of PBS and pro tease inhibitors. Interleukin-1 beta (IL-1 beta), interleukin-6 (IL-6) and tumour necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha) were measured by quantitative ELIS A analysis. Statistical evaluation was performed by the t-test using the qu otients of levels (wound sample/control skin). In surgical specimens the cy tokine levels revealed a clear tendency to increase with wound age. IL-1 be ta in early skin wounds (less than or equal to 30 min) and TNF-alpha after a wound age of 1-2 h demonstrated statistically significant changes in comp arison with control sh;in (P<0.05). In autopsy samples with severe traumati zation excessive elevation of cytokine levels was observed: IL-1 beta, IL-6 and TNF-alpha showed significant increases (P<0.001-0.05) in stab and inci sed wounds with very short survival times of less than 5 min, but not in po ssibly supravital injuries. Elevated IL-6 levels persisted in older wounds (>24 h, P<0.05). The quantitative analysis of proinflammatory cytokines in wound extracts can contribute to the determination of vitality and wound ag e, in particular in the very early post-traumatic interval (classic stab wo unds). (C) 2000 Elsevier Science Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.