Shock : molecular, cellular, and systemic pathobiological aspects and therapeutic approaches : the official journal the Shock Society, the European Shock Society, the Brazilian Shock Society, the International Federation of Shock Societies
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Mortality from pneumonia is mediated, in part, through extrapulmonary causes. Epidermal growth factor (EGF) has broad cytoprotective effects, including potent restorative properties in the injured intestine. The purpose of this study was to determine the efficacy of EGF treatment following Pseudomonas aeruginosa pneumonia. ⋯ To determine whether the intestine was sufficient to account for extrapulmonary effects induced by EGF, a separate set of experiments was done using transgenic mice with enterocyte-specific overexpression of EGF (IFABP-EGF [intestinal fatty acid-binding protein linked to mouse EGF] mice), which were compared with wild-type mice subjected to pneumonia. IFABP-EGF mice had improved survival compared with wild-type mice following pneumonia (50% vs. 28%, respectively, P < 0.05) and were protected from pneumonia-induced intestinal injury. Thus, EGF may be a potential adjunctive therapy for pneumonia, mediated in part by its effects on the intestine.
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Endotoxin, an outer membrane component of gram-negative bacteria, plays an important role in the pathogenesis of septic shock. Endotoxin adsorption therapy by polymyxin B-immobilized fiber column hemoperfusion (PMX) has been used for the treatment of septic shock patients in Japan since 1994. The covalent binding of polymyxin B onto the surface of the polystyrene-based carrier fiber in PMX inactivates the endotoxin in the blood without exerting toxicity. ⋯ These beneficial effects may be attributable to the direct adsorption of endotoxin, monocytes, activated neutrophils, and anandamide, as well as indirect decrease in inflammatory cytokines and other mediators. Polymyxin B-immobilized fiber column hemoperfusion treatment has additional effects on reducing endothelial damage, proapoptotic activity, and immunosuppression. Further studies will be needed to confirm the efficacy and mechanism of PMX treatment in septic shock.
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The purpose of this study was to evaluate the prognostic significance of classification of patients with septic shock into different critical illness-related corticosteroid insufficiency subgroups. A retrospective observational study was conducted in patients with septic shock who underwent a short corticotropin stimulation test within 72 h of the onset of shock. Patients were classified into normal adrenal function (NOM), low basal cortisol (LBC) (basal cortisol, <10 μg/dL), or low Δ cortisol (LDC) (basal cortisol, ≥10 μg/dL; cortisol, <9 μg/dL) groups. ⋯ The 28-day mortalities of the NOM, LBC, and LDC groups were 40.5%, 38.5%, and 63.2%, respectively (P = 0.007). Classification into the LDC group significantly increased the odds of 28-day mortality (odds ratio, 2.717; 95% confidence interval, 1.452-5.082; P = 0.002) and remained an independent risk factor for mortality even after controlling for all the other potential risk factors identified (odds ratio, 3.638; 95% confidence interval, 1.418-9.028; P = 0.006). Classification into the LDC group is an independent risk factor for mortality in hydrocortisone-treated septic shock patients.
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The contribution of the adaptive and innate immune systems to the pathogenesis and outcome of sepsis remains a fundamental yet controversial question. Here, we use mice lacking the recombination activating gene 1 (Rag-1) to study the role of T and B cells in sepsis after cecal ligation and puncture (CLP). Spleens of Rag-1 mice were atrophic and completely devoid of CD3 T cells and CD19 B cells. ⋯ Levels for most mediators were unaffected by the absence of T and B lymphocytes. Only the concentrations of IL-6 and IL-17 were found to be significantly lower in Rag-1 mice compared with wild-type mice. In conclusion, the absence of T and B cells in the CLP model used does not appear to affect the acute outcome of severe sepsis.
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Sepsis is characterized by systemic inflammation with release of a large amount of inflammatory mediators. If sustained, this inflammatory response can lead to multiple organ failure and/or immunoparalysis. In the latter condition, the host may be susceptible to opportunistic infections or be unable to clear existing infections. ⋯ It also suggests that LXA4 reduced systemic inflammation and NF-κB activation without compromising host defense. Increased macrophage recruitment was in part due to a direct effect of LXA4 as LXA4 increased peritoneal macrophage recruitment in sham controls and partly due to reduced production of IL-10 as LXA4 decreased macrophage IL-10 release (a known inhibitor of macrophage migration) after CLP. The results suggest that LXA4 increased survival in sepsis by simultaneously reducing systemic inflammation as well as bacterial spread.