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Several studies demonstrated a sex-specific cytokine secretion by macrophages following trauma-hemorrhage (T-H) and incubation with lipopolysaccharide A (LPS). Although LPS is known to act via the receptors CD14 and TLR4 on macrophages, it remains unknown whether differences in LPS receptor expression in males and females may be responsible for the gender-specific LPS induced cytokine response following (T-H). To study this, male and proestrus female mice (C3H/HeN) were subjected to trauma (laparotomy) followed by hemorrhage or sham operation. At 2 h thereafter, SMphi and PMphi were harvested and cultured for 2 h. The expression of CD14 and TLR4 was measured by flow cytometry on unstimulated SMphi and PMphi as well as after LPS stimulation. The results indicate that the expression of CD14 and TLR4 on SMphi and PMphi from female and male mice was similar in sham-operated animals and after (T-H). Incubation of macrophages with LPS did not alter CD14 and TLR4 expression in the study groups. Thus, the sex specific LPS induced cytokine secretion after (T-H) is not caused by differences in LPS receptor expression on Mphi of male and female mice.

Continuous hemofiltration is widely used for renal replacement therapy in patients with acute renal failure. It has been suggested that hemofiltration may also eliminate toxic mediators thought to be important in the pathophysiology of sepsis. The present study examined whether hemofiltration can activate or eliminate inflammatory mediators in patients with sepsis, and whether ultrafiltrate can alter specific functions of peripheral blood mononuclear leukocytes (PBMC) in vitro. Veno-venous hemofiltration was performed in 16 patients and in 5 healthy volunteers. Pre-filter (afferent), post-filter (efferent) and ultrafiltrate concentrations of cytokines (IL-1 beta, IL-6, IL-8, TNF alpha) and of complement components (C3, C3adesArg, C5adesArg, terminal complement complex) were measured after the beginning of hemofiltration (t0), and 60 minutes later (t60). PBMC, and monocyte and lymphocyte subfractions were incubated with ultrafiltrate, and cytokines were determined in the supernatants. Hemofiltration did not induce significant mediator activation. There was no evidence for significant cytokine elimination. However, pre-filter C3adesArg concentration showed a significant decline during hemofiltration (patients: t0 = 676.9 +/- 99.7 ng/ml, t60 = 545.4 +/- 83.2, P < 0.001; volunteers: t0 = 54.8 +/- 13.3 ng/ml, t60 = 33.9 +/- 10.7, P < 0.001). Ultrafiltrate from septic patients significantly stimulated PBMC and monocyte TNF alpha release, but suppressed lymphocyte IL-2 and IL-6 production. Ultrafiltrate from volunteers was without effect. Hemofiltration effectively eliminates certain mediators such as C3adesArg. Ultrafiltrate contains compounds with significant immunomodulatory qualities. Therefore, hemofiltration may represent a new modality for removal of immunomodulatory mediators.

The object of this prospective, randomized trial was to study the dysregulation effects of cardiopulmonary bypass on the synthesis pattern of interleukin-1, tumor necrosis factor, and interleukin-6, which have been identified as the key mediators of acute phase response. In addition, the counterregulation achieved by administration of indomethacin, which blocks the downregulating mediator prostaglandin E2, or indomethacin combined with thymopentin, which enhances T-lymphocytic reactivity, was investigated. Sixty patients who had undergone open heart operations were included in the study. These patients were divided into three groups: group A (n = 20) received both indomethacin and thymopentin, and group C (n = 20) served as control. In control patients interleukin-1 and tumor necrosis factor synthesis were suppressed postoperatively. This effect was significantly counteracted by indomethacin with no further improvement by adding thymopentin. Interleukin-6 synthesis increased in all groups. Although indomethacin treatment alone had little effect on this phenomenon, additional administration of thymopentin significantly reduced elevated interleukin-6 synthesis. Corresponding differences in clinical outcome could not be detected due to small patient numbers. This study was, however, able to demonstrate that an immunomodulatory therapy can influence alterations in immune mechanisms after cardiopulmonary bypass.