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Because of its low sensitivity, the conventional measurement method for endotoxin (ET) is not the most appropriate for monitoring the effect of ET adsorption therapy. Thus, the efficacy of ET adsorption therapy was investigated using a newly developed high-sensitivity ET assay method. The changes in the cytokine production capacity of whole blood were also examined. We treated 24 peritonitis patients who had developed postoperative septic shock with ET adsorption therapy using a column of polymyxin B-immobilized fibers (PMX) and their serum ET levels were measured using the high-sensitivity ET assay based on the kinetic turbidimetric Limulus assay. In addition, the changes in the tumor necrosis factor-(TNF-alpha) production capacity of whole blood following lipopolysaccharide (LPS) stimulation and clinical outcome in the study patients were also examined. The 28-day mortality rate was 12%. PMX-direct hemoperfusion (PMX-DHP) was associated with elevation of the mean arterial pressure and urine output, reduction in the mean dose requirement of vasopressor agents, and recovery from the shock state in all the patients. The PaO2/FIO2 ratio also showed significant improvement. Using the high-sensitivity ET assay, ET was detected in the blood of 20 out of the 24 patients (80%) before the PMX-DHP, and a significant reduction in the ET level was noted after the PMX-DHP. The TNF-alpha production capacity of whole blood, which was found to be lower in the septic shock patients than in healthy subjects, was significantly increased after PMX-DHP. Elimination of ET by PMX-DHP in septic shock patients was confirmed by the high-sensitivity ET assay. PMX-DHP is thus considered to be a useful adjuvant therapeutic technique in the treatment of septic shock. Also, PMX-DHP might alleviate the immunosuppression associated with severe sepsis.

The present data demonstrate an inverse correlation between serum IL-18 level and the P/F ratio, suggesting the possible involvement of IL-18 in the pathogenesis of respiratory failure in patients with ALI/ARDS. Early-stage serum IL-18, IL-12, and TNF-α levels appear to reflect the >60-day prognosis in patients with ALI/ARDS.

Background: There is a report that S100A12 is useful as an early marker of acute lung injury (ALI). The purpose of this study was to determine whether S100A12 or sRAGE is useful as a marker during the development of ALI in postoperative sepsis patients. Methods: The subjects were patients who underwent emergency surgery because of sepsis secondary to perforation of the lower gastrointestinal tract. We conducted a retrospective study comparing 2 groups of patients: a group of 9 patients who developed postoperative ALI, the ALI(+) group, and a group of 8 patients who did not develop postoperative ALI, the ALI(–) group. Their blood S100A12, sRAGE, IFN-γ, WBC count, and CRP values were measured immediately after surgery and on postoperative day 1 (D1). Results: The changes in S100A12 showed significantly higher values immediately postoperatively in the ALI(+) group (p < 0.05). The sRAGE values immediately postoperatively were similar, but on D1, they were significantly higher in the ALI(–) group (p < 0.05). Conclusions: S100A12 increases in the early stage of development of ALI. sRAGE production increases in patients who do not develop ALI.