Elevations of inflammatory markers PTX3 and sST2 after resuscitation from cardiac arrest are associated with multiple organ dysfunction syndrome and early death

Inflammatory response after out-of-hospital cardiac arrest-Impact on outcome and organ failure development

BACKGROUND

Post-cardiac arrest syndrome that occurs in out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) patients is characterized by inflammatory response. We conducted a scoping review of current evidence regarding several inflammatory markers' usefulness for assessment of patient outcome and illness severity. We also discuss the proposed underlying mechanisms leading to inflammatory response after OHCA.

METHODS

We searched the MEDLINE, PubMed Central, Cochrane CENTRAL and Web of Science Core Collection databases with the following search terms: ("inflammation" OR "cytokines") AND "out-of-hospital cardiac arrest." Each inflammatory marker found was combined with "out-of-hospital cardiac arrest" using "AND" to find further relevant studies. We included original studies measuring inflammatory markers in adult OHCA patients that assessed their prognostic capabilities for mortality, neurological outcome, or organ failure severity.

RESULTS

Fifty-nine studies met the inclusion criteria, covering in total 65 different markers. Interleukin-6 (IL-6), procalcitonin (PCT) and C-reactive protein (CRP) were the most studied markers, and they were associated with poor outcomes in 13/15, 13/14 and 11/17 studies, respectively. Based on area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC) value, the time point of best discriminatory capacity for poor outcome was ICU admission for IL-6 (median AUC 0.78, range 0.71-0.98) and day one after OHCA for PCT (median AUC 0.84, range 0.61-0.98). Seven studies reported AUCs for CRP (range 0.52-0.76) with no measurement time point being superior to others. The association of IL-6 and PCT with outcome appeared stronger in studies with more severely ill patients. Studies reported conflicting results regarding each marker's association with organ failure severity.

CONCLUSION

Inflammatory markers are potentially useful for early risk stratification after OHCA. PCT and IL-6 have moderate prognostic value during the first 24 h of the ICU stay. Predictive accuracy appears to be associated with the study overall event rate.

Soluble suppression of tumorigenicity 2 as outcome predictor after cardiopulmonary resuscitation: an observational prospective study

Prognostication after cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) is complex. Novel biomarkers like soluble suppression of tumorigenicity 2 (sST2) may provide an objective approach. A total of 106 post-CPR patients were included in this single-center observational prospective study. Serum sST2 levels were obtained 24 h after admission. Individuals were assigned to two groups: patients below and above the overall cohort’s median sST2 concentration. Primary outcome was a combined endpoint at 6 months (death or Cerebral Performance Category > 2); secondary endpoint 30-day mortality. A uni- and multivariate logistic regression analysis were conducted. Elevated sST2-levels were associated with an increased risk for the primary outcome (OR 1.011, 95% CI 1.004–1.019, p = 0.004), yet no patients with poor neurological outcome were observed at 6 months. The optimal empirical cut-off for sST2 was 46.15 ng/ml (sensitivity 81%, specificity 53%, AUC 0.69). Levels above the median (> 53.42 ng/ml) were associated with higher odds for both endpoints (death or CPC > 2 after 6 months: 21% vs. 49%, OR 3.59, 95% CI 1.53–8.45, p = 0.003; death after 30 days: 17% vs. 43.3%, OR 3.75, 95% CI 1.52–9.21, p = 0.003). A positive correlation of serum sST2 after CPR with mortality at 30 days and 6 months after cardiac arrest could be demonstrated.

Pentraxin-3 Is a Strong Biomarker of Sepsis Severity Identification and Predictor of 90-Day Mortality in Intensive Care Units via Sepsis 3.0 Definitions

BACKGROUND

Sepsis is the leading cause of mortality in intensive care units (ICUs). However, early diagnosis and prognosis of sepsis and septic shock are still a great challenge. Pentraxin-3 (PTX3) was shown to be associated with the severity and outcome of sepsis and septic shock. This study was carried out to investigate the diagnostic and prognostic value of PTX3 in patients with sepsis and septic shock based on Sepsis 3.0 definitions.

METHODS

In this single-center prospective observational study, all patients' serum was collected for biomarker measurements within 24 h after admission. Logistic and Cox regression analyses were used to identify the potential biomarkers of diagnosis, severity stratification, and prediction.

RESULTS

Serum levels of PTX3 were significantly increased on the first day of ICU admission, while septic shock patients had highest PTX3 levels than other groups. A combination between PTX3 and procalcitonin (PCT) could better discriminate sepsis and septic shock, and PTX3 was an independent predictor of mortality in sepsis and septic shock patients.

CONCLUSION

PTX3 may be a robust biomarker to classify the disease severity and predict the 90-day mortality of sepsis and septic shock based on the latest Sepsis 3.0 definitions.

Serum soluble suppression of tumorigenicity 2 as a novel inflammatory marker predicts the severity of acute pancreatitis

BACKGROUND

Acute pancreatitis (AP) is an inflammatory disease in which the regulatory pathway is complex and not well understood. Soluble suppression of tumorigenicity 2 (sST2) protein receptor functions as a decoy receptor for interleukin (IL)-33 to prevent IL-33/suppression of tumorigenicity 2L (ST2L)-pathway-mediated T helper (Th)2 immune responses.

AIM

To investigate the role of sST2 in AP.

METHODS

We assessed the association between sST2 and severity of AP in 123 patients enrolled in this study. The serum levels of sST2, C-reactive protein (CRP) and Th1- and Th2-related cytokines, including interferon (IFN)-γ, tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, IL-2, IL-4, IL-5 and IL-13, were measured by highly sensitive ELISA, and the severity of AP in patients was evaluated by the 2012 Atlanta Classification Criteria.

RESULTS

Serum sST2 levels were significantly increased in AP patients, and further, these levels were significantly elevated in severe AP (SAP) patients compared to moderately severe AP (MSAP) and mild AP (MAP) patients. Logistic regression showed sST2 was a predictor of SAP [odds ratio (OR): 1.003 (1.001–1.006), P = 0.000]. sST2 cutoff point was 1190 pg/mL, and sST2 above this cutoff was associated with SAP. sST2 was also a predictor of any organ failure and mortality during AP [OR: 1.006 (1.003–1.009), P = 0.000, OR: 1.002 (1.001–1.004), P = 0.012, respectively]. Additionally, the Th1-related cytokines IFN-γ and TNF-α in the SAP group were higher and the Th2-related cytokine IL-4 in the SAP group was significantly lower than those in MSAP and MAP groups.

CONCLUSION

sST2 may be used as a novel inflammatory marker in predicting AP severity and may regulate the function and differentiation of IL-33/ST2-mediated Th1 and Th2 Lymphocytes in AP homeostasis.

Serum fibroblast growth factor 21 levels after out of hospital cardiac arrest are associated with neurological outcome

Fibroblast growth factor (FGF) 21 is a marker associated with mitochondrial and cellular stress. Cardiac arrest causes mitochondrial stress, and we tested if FGF 21 would reflect the severity of hypoxia-reperfusion injury after cardiac arrest. We measured serum concentrations of FGF 21 in 112 patients on ICU admission and 24, 48 and 72 h after out-of-hospital cardiac arrest with shockable initial rhythm included in the COMACARE study (NCT02698917). All patients received targeted temperature management for 24 h. We defined 6-month cerebral performance category 1–2 as good and 3–5 as poor neurological outcome. We used samples from 40 non-critically ill emergency room patients as controls. We assessed group differences with the Mann Whitney U test and temporal differences with linear modeling with restricted maximum likelihood estimation. We used multivariate logistic regression to assess the independent predictive value of FGF 21 concentration for neurologic outcome. The median (inter-quartile range, IQR) FGF 21 concentration was 0.25 (0.094–0.91) ng/ml in controls, 0.79 (0.37–1.6) ng/ml in patients at ICU admission (P < 0.001 compared to controls) and peaked at 48 h [1.2 (0.46–2.5) ng/ml]. We found no association between arterial blood oxygen partial pressure and FGF 21 concentrations. We observed with linear modeling an effect of sample timepoint (F 5.6, P < 0.01), poor neurological outcome (F 6.1, P = 0.01), and their interaction (F 3.0, P = 0.03), on FGF 21 concentration. In multivariate logistic regression analysis, adjusting for relevant clinical covariates, higher average FGF 21 concentration during the first 72 h was independently associated with poor neurological outcome (odds ratio 1.60, 95% confidence interval 1.10–2.32). We conclude that post cardiac arrest patients experience cellular and mitochondrial stress, reflected as a systemic FGF 21 response. This response is higher with a more severe hypoxic injury but it is not exacerbated by hyperoxia.

Use of SOFA score in cardiac arrest research: A scoping review

Background

The Sequential Organ Failure Assessment (SOFA) score is a commonly used severity-of-illness score in cardiac arrest research. Due to its nature, the SOFA score often has missing data. How much data is missing and how that missing data is handled is unknown.

Objectives

We conducted a scoping review on cardiac arrest studies using SOFA, focusing on missing data.

Data sources

PubMed, Embase, and Web of Science.

Study selection

All English-language peer-reviewed studies of cardiac arrest with SOFA as an outcome or exposure were included.

Data extraction

For each study, quantity of missing SOFA data, analytic strategy to handle missing SOFA variables, whether/to what degree mortality influenced the amount of missing SOFA scores), SOFA score modifications, and number of SOFA measurements was extracted.

Data synthesis

We included 66 studies published between 2006–2019. Five studies were randomized controlled trials, 26 were prospective cohort studies, and 25 were retrospective cohort studies. SOFA was used as an outcome in 36 (55%) and a primary outcome in 10 (15%). Nine studies (14%) mentioned the quantity of missing SOFA data, which ranged from 0 to 76% (median: 10% [IQR: 6%, 42%]). Twenty-seven (41%) studies reported a method to handle missing SOFA. The most common method used excluded subjects with missing data (81%). In the 50 studies using serial SOFA scores, 11 (22%) documented mortality prior to SOFA measurement; which ranged from 3% to 76% (median: 12% [IQR: 6%–35%]).

Conclusions

Missing data is common in cardiac arrest research using SOFA scores. Variability exists in reporting and handling missing SOFA variables.

Circulating sST2 and catestatin levels in patients with acute worsening of heart failure: a report from the CATSTAT-HF study

AIMS

Soluble suppression of tumourigenicity 2 (sST2) and catestatin (CST) reflect myocardial fibrosis and sympathetic overactivity during the acute worsening of heart failure (AWHF). We aimed to determine serum levels and associations of sST2 and CST with in-hospital death as well as the association between sST2 and CST among AWHF patients.

METHODS AND RESULTS

A total of 96 AWHF patients were consecutively enrolled, while levels of sST2 and CST were determined and compared between non-survivors and survivors. Predictive values of sST2 and CST for in-hospital death were determined by the penalized multivariable Firth logistic regression. The diagnostic ability of sST2 and CST for in-hospital death was assessed by the receiver operating characteristic analysis and examined with respect to the N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP), high-sensitivity cardiac troponin I, and C-reactive protein. The in-hospital death rate was 6.25%. Serum sST2 and CST levels were significantly higher among non-survivors than survivors [146.6 (inter-quartile range, IQR 65.9-156.2) vs. 35.3 (IQR 20.6-64.4) ng/mL, P < 0.001, and 19.8 (IQR 9.9-28.0) vs. 5.6 (IQR 3.4-9.8) ng/mL, P < 0.001, respectively]. Both sST2 and CST were independent predictors of in-hospital death [Firth coefficient (FC) 6.00, 95% confidence interval (CI), 1.48-15.20, P = 0.005, and FC 6.58, 95% CI 1.66-21.78, P = 0.003, respectively], while NT-proBNP was not a significant predictor (FC 1.57, 95% CI 0.51-3.99, P = 0.142). In classifying non-survivors from survivors, sST2 provided area under the curve (AUC) of 0.917 (95% CI 0.819-1.000, P < 0.001) followed by CST (AUC 0.905, 95% CI 0.792-1.000, P < 0.001), while NT-proBNP yielded AUC of 0.735 (95% CI 0.516-0.954, P = 0.036). High-sensitivity cardiac troponin I and C-reactive protein were not found as significant classifiers of in-hospital death (AUC 0.719, 95% CI 0.509-0.930, P = 0.075, and AUC 0.682, 95% CI 0.541-0.822, P = 0.164, respectively). Among survivors, those with sST2 serum levels ≥35 ng/mL had significantly higher CST levels, compared with those with sST2 < 35 ng/mL (9.05 ± 5.17 vs. 5.06 ± 2.76 ng/mL, P < 0.001). Serum sST2 levels positively and independently correlated with CST levels in the whole patient cohort (β = 0.437, P < 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

Elevated sST2 and CST levels, reflecting two distinct pathophysiological pathways in heart failure, might indicate impending clinical deterioration among AWHF patients during hospitalization and facilitate prognosis beyond traditional biomarkers regarding the risk of in-hospital death (CATSTAT-HF ClinicalTrials.gov Number NCT03389386).

PTX3 Predicts Myocardial Damage and Fibrosis in Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy

Pentraxin 3 (PTX3) is a main component of the innate immune system by inducing complement pathway activation, acting as an inflammatory mediator, coordinating the functions of macrophages/dendritic cells and promoting apoptosis/necrosis. Additionally, it has been found in fibrotic regions co-localizing with collagen. In this work, we wanted to investigate the predictive role of PTX3 in myocardial damage and fibrosis of Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD). DMD is an X-linked recessive disease caused by mutations of the dystrophin gene that affects muscular functions and strength and accompanying dilated cardiomyopathy. Here, we expound the correlation of PTX3 cardiac expression with age and Toll-like receptors (TLRs)/interleukin-1 receptor (IL-1R)-MyD88 inflammatory markers and its modulation by the so-called alarmins IL-33, high-mobility group box 1 (HMGB1), and S100β. These findings suggest that cardiac levels of PTX3 might have prognostic value and potential in guiding therapy for DMD cardiomyopathy.

Procalcitonin and Presepsin as Prognostic Markers After Out-of-Hospital Cardiac Arrest

BACKGROUND

Patients resuscitated from cardiac arrest commonly develop an inflammatory response called post-cardiac arrest syndrome that clinically resembles septic shock.Procalcitonin and presepsin are associated with inflammation. We hypothesized that these biomarkers reflect the severity of post-cardiac arrest syndrome and predict short-term hemodynamical instability and long-term neurological outcome after cardiac arrest.

METHODS

As a subcohort analysis of a prospective, observational, multicenter study "FINNRESUSCI," we obtained plasma from 277 intensive care unit (ICU) patients treated following out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA). Procalcitonin and presepsin levels were measured 0 to 6 h from ICU admission and 24, 48, and 96 h thereafter. We defined poor outcome as a 12-month Cerebral Performance Category of 3 to 5. We tested statistical associations between biomarkers and hemodynamical parameters and outcome with regression models.

RESULTS

Plasma procalcitonin had best predictive value for 12-month poor outcome at 96 h (AUC 0.76; 95% CI 0.68-0.83) and presepsin at ICU admission (AUC 0.72; 95% CI 0.65-0.78). Elevated procalcitonin concentration at ICU admission predicted unstable hemodynamics in the following 48 h in a linear regression model. In a multivariate logistic regression model with clinical variables, only procalcitonin at 96 h had independent prognostic value for poor 12-month neurological outcome.

CONCLUSIONS

Elevated procalcitonin is associated with hemodynamical instability and worsened long-term outcome in OHCA patients. The association is not strong enough for it to be used as a single predictor. Presepsin did not provide clinically relevant information for risk stratification after OHCA.

Pentraxin 3 in Cardiovascular Disease

The long pentraxin PTX3 is a member of the pentraxin family produced locally by stromal and myeloid cells in response to proinflammatory signals and microbial moieties. The prototype of the pentraxin family is C reactive protein (CRP), a widely-used biomarker in human pathologies with an inflammatory or infectious origin. Data so far describe PTX3 as a multifunctional protein acting as a functional ancestor of antibodies and playing a regulatory role in inflammation. Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is a leading cause of mortality worldwide, and inflammation is crucial in promoting it. Data from animal models indicate that PTX3 can have cardioprotective and atheroprotective roles regulating inflammation. PTX3 has been investigated in several clinical settings as possible biomarker of CVD. Data collected so far indicate that PTX3 plasma levels rise rapidly in acute myocardial infarction, heart failure and cardiac arrest, reflecting the extent of tissue damage and predicting the risk of mortality.

The value of the neutrophil-lymphocyte count ratio in the diagnosis of sepsis in patients admitted to the Intensive Care Unit: A retrospective cohort study

Background

Early diagnosis and treatment has proven to be of utmost importance in the outcome of sepsis patients. We compared the accuracy of the neutrophil-lymphocyte count ratio (NLCR) to conventional inflammatory markers in patients admitted to the Intensive Care Unit (ICU).

Methods

We performed a retrospective cohort study consisting of 276 ICU patients with sepsis and 388 ICU patients without sepsis. We compared the NLCR as well as C-reactive protein (CRP) level, procalcitonin (PCT) level, white blood cell (WBC) count, neutrophil count and lymphocyte count on ICU admission between sepsis and non-sepsis ICU patients. To evaluate the sensitivity and specificity, we constructed receiver operating characteristics (ROC) curves.

Results

Significant differences in NLCR values were observed between sepsis and non-sepsis patients (15.3 [10.8–38.2] (median [interquartile range] vs. 9.3 [6.2–14.5]; P<0.001), as well as for CRP level, PCT level and lymphocyte count. The area under the ROC curve (AUROC) of the NLCR was 0.66 (95%CI = 0.62–0.71). AUROC was significantly higher for CRP and PCT level with AUROC’s of 0.89 (95%CI 0.87–0.92) and 0.88 (95%CI 0.86–0.91) respectively.

Conclusions

The NLCR is less suitable than conventional inflammatory markers CRP and PCT to detect the presence of sepsis in ICU patients.

Trial registration

ClinicalTrials.gov NCT01274819.

PTX3, a Humoral Pattern Recognition Molecule, in Innate Immunity, Tissue Repair, and Cancer

Innate immunity includes a cellular and a humoral arm. PTX3 is a fluid-phase pattern recognition molecule conserved in evolution which acts as a key component of humoral innate immunity in infections of fungal, bacterial, and viral origin. PTX3 binds conserved microbial structures and self-components under conditions of inflammation and activates effector functions (complement, phagocytosis). Moreover, it has a complex regulatory role in inflammation, such as ischemia/reperfusion injury and cancer-related inflammation, as well as in extracellular matrix organization and remodeling, with profound implications in physiology and pathology. Finally, PTX3 acts as an extrinsic oncosuppressor gene by taming tumor-promoting inflammation in murine and selected human tumors. Thus evidence suggests that PTX3 is a key homeostatic component at the crossroad of innate immunity, inflammation, tissue repair, and cancer. Dissecting the complexity of PTX3 pathophysiology and human genetics paves the way to diagnostic and therapeutic exploitation.

The long pentraxin PTX3: A prototypical sensor of tissue injury and a regulator of homeostasis

Tissue damage frequently occurs. The immune system senses it and enforces homeostatic responses that lead to regeneration and repair. The synthesis of acute phase molecules is emerging as a crucial event in this program. The prototypic long pentraxin PTX3 orchestrates the recruitment of leukocytes, stabilizes the provisional matrix in order to facilitate leukocyte and stem progenitor cells trafficking, promotes swift and safe clearance of dying cells and of autoantigens, limiting autoimmunity and protecting the vasculature. These non-redundant actions of PTX3 are necessary for the resolution of inflammation. Recent studies have highlighted the mechanisms by which PTX3 adapts the functions of innate immune cells, orchestrates tissue repair and contributes to select the appropriate acquired immune response in various tissues. Conversely, PTX3 continues to be produced in diseases where the inflammatory response does not resolve. It is therefore a valuable biomarker for more precise and personalized stratification of patients, often independently predicting clinical evolution and outcome. There is strong promise for novel therapies based on understanding the mechanisms with which PTX3 plays its homeostatic role, especially in regulating leukocyte migration and the resolution of inflammatory processes.

Pentraxins in the activation and regulation of innate immunity

Humoral fluid phase pattern recognition molecules (PRMs) are a key component of the activation and regulation of innate immunity. Humoral PRMs are diverse. We focused on the long pentraxin PTX3 as a paradigmatic example of fluid phase PRMs. PTX3 acts as a functional ancestor of antibodies and plays a non-redundant role in resistance against selected microbes in mouse and man and in the regulation of inflammation. This molecule interacts with complement components, thus modulating complement activation. In particular, PTX3 regulates complement-driven macrophage-mediated tumor progression, acting as an extrinsic oncosuppressor in preclinical models and selected human tumors. Evidence collected over the years suggests that PTX3 is a biomarker and potential therapeutic agent in humans, and pave the way to translation of this molecule into the clinic.

Pentraxin 3 in patients with severe sepsis or shock: the ALBIOS trial

BACKGROUND

The long pentraxin PTX3 is a key component of the humoral arm of innate immunity related to sepsis severity and mortality. We evaluated the clinical and prognostic significance of circulating PTX3 in the largest cohort ever reported of patients with severe sepsis or septic shock.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Plasma PTX3 was measured on days 1, 2 and 7 after randomization of 958 patients to albumin or crystalloids for fluid resuscitation in the multicentre Albumin Italian Outcome Sepsis (ALBIOS) trial. We tested the association of PTX3 and its changes over time with clinical severity, prevalent and incident organ dysfunctions, 90-day mortality and treatment.

RESULTS

PTX3 was high at baseline (72 [33-186] ng/mL) and rose with the severity and number of organ dysfunctions (P < 0·001) and the incidence of subsequent new failures. The PTX3 concentration dropped from day 1 to 7, but this decrease was less pronounced in patients with septic shock (P = 0·0004). Higher concentrations of PTX3 on day 1 predicted incident organ dysfunctions. Albumin supplementation was associated with lower levels of PTX3 in patients with septic shock (P = 0·005) but not in those without shock. In a fully adjusted multivariable model, PTX3 on day 7 predicted 90-day mortality. Smaller drops in PTX3 predicted higher 90-day mortality.

CONCLUSIONS

In severe sepsis and septic shock, early high PTX3 predict subsequent new organ failures, while a smaller drop in circulating PTX3 over time predicts an increased risk of death. Patients with septic shock show lower levels of PTX3 when assigned to albumin than to crystalloids.

Elevated plasma heparin-binding protein is associated with early death after resuscitation from cardiac arrest

Background

An intense systemic inflammatory response is observed following reperfusion after cardiac arrest. Heparin-binding protein (HBP) is a granule protein released by neutrophils that intervenes in endothelial permeability regulation. In the present study, we investigated plasma levels of HBP in a large population of patients resuscitated from out-of-hospital cardiac arrest. We hypothesized that high circulating levels of HBP are associated with severity of post-cardiac arrest syndrome and poor outcome.

Methods

Plasma was obtained from 278 patients enrolled in a prospective multicenter observational study in 21 intensive care units (ICU) in Finland. HBP was assayed at ICU admission and 48 h later. Multiple organ dysfunction syndrome (MODS) was defined as the 24 h Sequential Organ Failure Assessment (SOFA) score ≥ 12. ICU death and 12-month Cerebral Performance Category (CPC) were evaluated. Multiple linear and logistic regression tests and receiver operating characteristic curves with area under the curve (AUC) were performed.

Results

Eighty-two percent of patients (229 of 278) survived to ICU discharge and 48 % (133 of 276) to 1 year with a favorable neurological outcome (CPC 1 or 2). At ICU admission, median plasma levels of HBP were markedly elevated, 15.4 [9.6–31.3] ng/mL, and persisted high 48 h later, 14.8 [9.8–31.1] ng/mL. Admission levels of HBP were higher in patients who had higher 24 h SOFA and cardiovascular SOFA score (p < 0.0001) and in those who developed MODS compared to those who did not (29.3 [13.7–60.1] ng/mL vs. 13.6 [9.1–26.2] ng/mL, p < 0.0001; AUC = 0.70 ± 0.04, p = 0.0001). Admission levels of HBP were also higher in patients who died in ICU (31.0 [17.7–78.2] ng/mL) compared to those who survived (13.5 [9.1–25.5] ng/mL, p < 0.0001) and in those with an unfavorable 12-month neurological outcome compared to those with a favorable one (18.9 [11.3–44.3] ng/mL vs. 12.8 [8.6–30.4] ng/mL, p < 0.0001). Admission levels of HBP predicted early ICU death with an AUC of 0.74 ± 0.04 (p < 0.0001) and were independently associated with ICU death (OR [95 %CI] 1.607 [1.076–2.399], p = 0.020), but not with unfavorable 12-month neurological outcome (OR [95 %CI] 1.154 [0.834–1.596], p = 0.387).

Conclusions

Elevated plasma levels of HBP at ICU admission were independently associated with early death in ICU.

Electronic supplementary material

The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s13054-016-1412-4) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Comparative study of bacterial translocation control with nitric oxide donors and COX2 inhibitor

OBJECTIVE AND DESIGN

To evaluate the beneficial effects of exogenous NO and an inhibitor of the COX2, and their action levels in a model of SIRS/bacterial translocation (BT) induced by Zymosan A(®).

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Ninety Wistar rats were submitted to different treatments, and after 12h and 24h they were anaesthetized in order to collect blood, mesenteric lymph nodes, and kidney for subsequent biochemical analyses and microbiological examinations.

TREATMENTS

A nitric oxide donor, Molsidomine(®), was compared with a COX2 inhibitor, Celecoxib(®).

METHODS

Zymosan A(®) was administered to Wistar rats. The animals were divided into 6 groups: one group for survival study, Group (1) No manipulation (BASAL); Group (2) vehicle of Zymosan A(®) given intraperitoneally (SHAM); Group I (control), with Zymosan A(®) (0.6g/kg) intraperitoneally; Group II (Molsidomine), with Molsidomine(®) (4mg/kg) through the penis dorsal vein, 30min prior to administration of the Zy(®) (0.6g/kg); Group III (Celecoxib), with Celecoxib(®) (400mg/kg) orally through a stomach tube, 6h prior to administration of the Zy (0.6g/kg).

DETERMINATIONS

The parameters survival, bacterial translocation, renal function, neutrophil accumulation, oxygen free radicals (OFR), detoxifying enzymes, and cytokines were measured at different times after Zymosan administration.

RESULTS

The model established induced a mortality rate of 100% and generated BT and systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS) in all samples. It also significantly increased all variables, with p<.001 for MPO and all pro-inflammatory cytokines, and p<.01 for all OFR. Treatment with Molsidomine reduced mortality to 0%, decreased BT, MPO, pro-inflammatory cytokines and OFR (p<.001) significantly and increased IL-10 and IL-6 production. Moreover, the Celecoxib(®) showed a lower capacity for SIRS regulation.

CONCLUSIONS

The exogenous administration of NO prevented BT and controlled SIRS. Therefore these results suggest that Molsidomine could be used as a therapeutic strategy to protect against BT.