Endothelin-1, interleukin-6, and interleukin-8 levels increase in patients with burns

• Published in: Journal of burn care & rehabilitation Vol. 17; no. 5; p. 384
• Main Authors: McMillen, M A, Huribal, M, Cunningham, M E, Bala, R J, Pleban, W E, D'Aiuto, M L
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States 01.09.1996
• Subjects: Adult; Aged; Analysis of Variance; Burns - metabolism; Burns - pathology; Endothelin-1 - analysis; Endothelin-1 - metabolism; Humans; Injury Severity Score; Interleukin-6 - analysis; Interleukin-6 - metabolism; Interleukin-8 - analysis; Interleukin-8 - metabolism; Middle Aged; Prognosis; Radioimmunoassay; Sensitivity and Specificity
• ISSN: 0273-8481
• DOI: 10.1097/00004630-199609000-00003

Endothelin is produced by injured or ischemic endothelium and causes monocyte production of interleukins-6 and 8 in vitro. Endothelin levels increase in patients with burn injuries, and we asked whether interleukin-6 and 8 levels increased in patients with burn injuries concurrently with endothelin. Fourteen patients with more than 20% body surface area burns were resuscitated to maintain urine output of 0.5 to 1.0 ml/kg/hr. Blood was drawn on admission and at 12, 24, and 48 hours. Endothelin was measured by radioimmunoassay, interleukins-6 and 8 were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Endothelin levels increased to 6.1 +/- 2.3 fmol on admission, 5.7 +/- 2.1 at 12 hours, 6.9 +/- 2.7 at 24 hours, and 6.4 +/- 2.7 at 48 hours (vs 0.5 in healthy controls). Interleukin-6 increased to 243 +/- 220 pg/ml on admission, 276 +/- 198 at 12 hours, 400 +/- 282 at 24 hours, and 379 +/- 274 at 48 hours (vs less than 50 in healthy controls). Interleukin-8 increased to 504 +/- 309 pg/ml on admission, 483 +/- 263 at 12 hours, 575 +/- 306 at 24 hours, and 698 +/- 667 at 48 hours (vs less than 50 in controls). Endothelin-1 and interleukin-6 and 8 levels increase in patients with burn injuries. Endothelin-mediated activation of monocytes that cause cytokine production may have clinical relevance in patients with burn injuries.