As procalcitonin concentrations have been shown to be elevated in patients with septicemia and gram-negative infections in particular, we proceeded to investigate the effect of endotoxin, a product of gram-negative bacteria, on procalcitonin concentrations in normal human volunteers. Endotoxin from Escherichia coli 0113:H10:k, was injected i.v. at a dose of 4 mg/kg BW into these healthy volunteers. Blood samples were obtained before and 1, 2, 4, 6, 8, and 24 h after injection of the endotoxin. Each patient's cardiovascular and overall clinical status was monitored over this period. The patients developed chills and rigors, myalgia, and fever between 1-3 h. Tumor necrosis factor-alpha levels increased sharply at 1 h and peaked at 90 min, reaching the baseline concentration thereafter by 6 h. Interleukin-6 levels increased more gradually, peaking at 3 h and reaching the baseline concentration at 8 h. The procalcitonin concentration, which was undetectable (< 10 pg/mL) at 0, 1, and 2 h, was detectable at 4 h and peaked at 6 h, maintaining a plateau through 8 and 24 h (4 ng/mL). There was no elevation of calcitonin concentrations, which remained below 10 pg/mL, the lowest sensitivity of the assay. Procalcitonin was measured by a two-antibody immunoradiometric assay specific for this peptide, with no cross-reactivity with calcitonin, katacalcin, or calcitonin gene-related peptide. We conclude that endotoxin induces the release of procalcitonin systemically, that this increase is not associated with an increase in calcitonin, and that the increase in procalcitonin associated with septicemia in patients may be mediated through the effect of endotoxin described here. Whether procalcitonin participates in the mechanisms underlying inflammation remains to be investigated.

Background-The clinical benefits of insulin previously observed in acute ST-segment-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) may be partially explained by an anti-inflammatory effect. We assessed this potential effect of insulin in STEMI patients treated with fibrinolytics. Methods and Results-Thirty-two patients receiving reteplase were randomly assigned infusions of either insulin at 2.5 U/h, dextrose, and potassium (GIK) or normal saline and potassium (C) for 48 hours. Plasma concentrations of high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (CRP), serum amyloid A (SAA), plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (PAI-1), creatine kinase (CK), and CK-MB were measured at baseline and sequentially for 48 hours. Total p47 phox protein in mononuclear cells was measured in a subgroup of 13 subjects. Baseline CRP and SAA were significantly increased (2-to 4-fold) at 24 and 48 hours in each group (PϽ0.01). However, in the insulin group, there was a significant (PϽ0.05) attenuation of the absolute rise in concentration of CRP and SAA from baseline. The absolute increase of CRP and SAA was reduced by 40% (CRP) and 50% (SAA) at 24 hours and at 48 hours compared with the control group. The absolute increase in PAI-1 from baseline and the percentage increase in p47 phox over 48 hours were significantly (PϽ0.05) lower in the insulin-treated group. CK-MB peaked earlier and tended to be lower in insulin-treated subjects, especially in patients with inferior MI. Conclusions-Insulin

Caffeine elevates cortisol secretion, and caffeine is often consumed in conjunction with exercise or mental stress. The interactions of caffeine and stress on cortisol secretion have not been explored adequately in women. We measured cortisol levels at eight times on days when healthy men and women consumed caffeine (250 mg × 3) and underwent either mental stress or dynamic exercise protocols, followed by a midday meal, in a double blind, placebo-controlled, crossover design. Men and women had similar cortisol levels at the predrug baselines, but they responded differently to mental stress and exercise. The cortisol response to mental stress was smaller in women than in men (p=.003). Caffeine acted in concert with mental stress to further increase cortisol levels (p=.011), the effect was similar in men and women. Exercise alone did not increase cortisol, but caffeine taken before exercise elevated cortisol in both men and women (ps<.05). After a postexercise meal, the women had a larger cortisol response than the men, and this effect was greater after caffeine (p<.01). Cortisol release in response to stress and caffeine therefore appears to be a function of the type of stressor and the sex of the subject. However, repeated caffeine doses increased cortisol levels across the test day without regard to the sex of the subject or type of stressor employed (p<.00001). Caffeine may elevate cortisol by stimulating the central nervous system in men but may interact with peripheral metabolic mechanisms in women.