Effect of trypsin-chymotrypsin (Chymoral Forte DS) preparation on the modulation of cytokine levels in burn patients

The present study was carried out in burn patients administered with Trypsi n-Chymotrypsin (Chymoral Forte D.S.) preparation to observe if the acute-ph ase protein levels in the serum are modulated through the synthesis of IL-1 beta and IL-6 and if the severity of the inflammatory phase could be regul ated. The effects of Trypsin-Chymotrypsin preparation on the modulation of cytokine levels particularly, IL-6 and IL-1 beta were analyzed in serum sam ples of 15 burn patients and compared with untreated controls. Significant differences in cytokine levels (P < 0.05) were observed in untreated burn p atients and Trypsin-Chymotrypsin preparation treated patients. There were s ignificant variations in serum IL-6 and IL-1 beta on the day of admission a nd post burn day 10 in treated as well as untreated burn patients. Patients with a higher percentage of total body surface area and sepsis showed a si gnificant increase in IL-1 beta and IL-6 in the serum. An increase in serum levels of both cytokines was observed on post burn day 1 and a significant decrease was observed in Trypsin-Chymotrypsin preparation treated patients on days 7 and 10. The possible role of the inflammatory cytokines in the p athophysiology of burns is discussed. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science Ltd and ISB I. All rights reserved.