Investigation of TNF-alpha, IL-6, IL-8 and of procalcitonin in patients with neurologic complications in sepsis
Cojocaru, I.M.; Muşuroi, C.; Iacob, S.; Cojocaru, M.
Romanian Journal of Internal Medicine 41(1): 83-93
2003
ISSN/ISBN: 1220-4749 PMID: 15529589 Document Number: 554255
Some mediators of inflammation are associated with sepsis, involving nervous system. Proinflammatory cytokines, TNF-alpha, IL-6, and IL-8, and procalcitonin (PCT), proinflammatory protein, were investigated in patients with neurologic complications in sepsis. TNF-alpha, IL-6, IL-8, and PCT were prospectively investigated in 62 patients with neurologic complications in sepsis. TNF-alpha and IL-6 were studied both in serum as in the CSF, IL-8 and PCT were studied only in serum. TNF-alpha, IL-6, and IL-8 were studied by ELISA (R & D Systems), and the PCT by immunoluminometric assay (BRAHMS). Mean value of TNF-alpha in serum was 578+/-214 pg/ml, and in CSF was 458+/-167 pg/ml (p<0.01). Mean value of IL-6 in serum was 749+/-213 pg/ml, and in CSF was 617.5+/-182 pg/ml (p<0.01). Mean value of IL-8 in serum was 332+/-196 pg/ml (p<0.01). Mean value of PCT in serum was 80+/-16 ng/ml (p<0.01). The investigated parameters do not permit the identifying of cases with neurologic complications. The increased correlation coefficient between cytokines in serum and in CSF suggests the damage of the blood-brain barrier. The raise of PCT in serum, induced by TNF-alpha and IL-6, is an argument of the severity of sepsis.