Eicosanoid and cytokine levels in plasma of patients during mesenteric infarction

Abstract

Multible organ failure (MOF) induced by mesenteric infarction is associated with a high mortality rate. This study reports eicosanoid and cytokine levels in the blood of three atherosclerotic patients who ultimately died from MOF induced by mesenteric infarction. High plasma levels of 6- keto-prostaglandin (PG) F_1α (the stable metabolite of PGI₂), interleukin (IL)-6 and IL-8 are observed whereas plasma tumour necrosis factor alpha (TNFα), TxB₂ (the stable metabolite of TxA₂), PGE₂, leukotrienes (LT)B₄ and LTC₄, and whole blood platelet-activating factor levels are not different from values obtained in similarly severe atherosclerotic patients. This short report questioned the clinical involvement of TNFα during such a pathology where a persistent translocation of endotoxin has been observed through the gut endothelial barrier. Activation of phospholipase A₂ is suggested by the increase in the stable metabolite of PGI₂ and might be by itself or through lipidic metabolites, a major systemic stimulus of IL-6 and IL-8 production.