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Patients operated for infective endocarditis (IE) are at high risk of developing an excessive systemic hyperinflammatory state, resulting in systemic inflammatory response syndrome and septic shock. Hemoadsorption (HA) by cytokine adsorbers has been successfully applied to remove inflammatory mediators. This randomized controlled trial investigates the effect of perioperative HA therapy on inflammatory parameters and hemodynamic status in patients operated for IE. A total of 20 patients were randomly assigned to either HA therapy or the control group. HA therapy was initiated intraoperatively and continued for 24 hours postoperatively. Cytokine levels (IL‐6, IL‐1b, TNF‐α), leukocytes, C‐reactive protein (CRP), and Procalcitonin (PCT) as well as catecholamine support, and volume requirement were compared between both groups. Operative procedures included aortic (n = 7), mitral (n = 6), and multiple valve surgery (n = 7). All patients survived to discharge. No significant differences concerning median cytokine levels (IL‐6 and TNF‐α) were observed between both groups. CRP and PCT baseline levels were significantly higher in the HA group (59.5 vs. 26.3 mg/dL, P = .029 and 0.17 vs. 0.05 µg/L, P = .015) equalizing after surgery. Patients in the HA group required significantly higher doses of vasopressors (0.093 vs. 0.025 µg/kg/min norepinephrine, P = .029) at 12 hours postoperatively as well as significantly more overall volume replacement (7217 vs. 4185 mL at 12 hours, P = .015; 12 021 vs. 4850 mL at 48 hours, P = .015). HA therapy did neither result in a reduction of inflammatory parameters nor result in an improvement of hemodynamic parameters in patients operated for IE. For a more targeted use of HA therapy, appropriate selection criteria are required.
Preterm infants are susceptible to infection and their defense against pathogens relies largely on innate immunity. The role of the complement system for the immunological vulnerability of preterm infants is less understood. Anaphylatoxin C5a and its receptors C5aR1 and -2 are known to be involved in sepsis pathogenesis, with C5aR1 mainly exerting pro-inflammatory effects. Our explorative study aimed to determine age-dependent changes in the expression of C5aR1 and C5aR2 in neonatal immune cell subsets. Via flow cytometry, we analyzed the expression pattern of C5a receptors on immune cells isolated from peripheral blood of preterm infants (n = 32) compared to those of their mothers (n = 25). Term infants and healthy adults served as controls. Preterm infants had a higher intracellular expression of C5aR1 on neutrophils than control individuals. We also found a higher expression of C5aR1 on NK cells, particularly on the cytotoxic CD56\(^{dim}\) subset and the CD56\(^-\) subset. Immune phenotyping of other leukocyte subpopulations revealed no gestational-age-related differences for the expression of and C5aR2. Elevated expression of C5aR1 on neutrophils and NK cells in preterm infants may contribute to the phenomenon of “immunoparalysis” caused by complement activation or to sustained hyper-inflammatory states. Further functional analyses are needed to elucidate the underlying mechanisms.
In 1747, an important milestone in the history of clinical research was set, as the Scottish surgeon James Lind conducted the first randomized controlled trial. Lind was interested in scurvy, a severe vitamin C deficiency which caused the death of thousands of British seamen. He found that a dietary intervention with oranges and lemons, which are rich in vitamin C by nature, was effective to recover from scurvy. Because of its antioxidative properties and involvement in many biochemical processes, the essential micronutrient vitamin C plays a key role in the human biology. Moreover, the use of vitamin C in critical illness—a condition also resulting in death of thousands in the 21st century—has gained increasing interest, as it may restore vascular responsiveness to vasoactive agents, ameliorate microcirculatory blood flow, preserve endothelial barriers, augment bacterial defense, and prevent apoptosis. Because of its redox potential and powerful antioxidant capacity, vitamin C represents an inexpensive and safe antioxidant, with the potential to modify the inflammatory cascade and improve clinical outcomes of critically ill patients. This narrative review aims to update and provide an overview on the role of vitamin C in the human biology and in critically ill patients, and to summarize current evidence on the use of vitamin C in diverse populations of critically ill patients, in specific focusing on patients with sepsis and coronavirus disease 2019.
Diese multizentrische, randomisierte, doppel-blinde Studie hatte zum Ziel, die additive Wirksamkeit von Pentaglobin® bei der Behandlung der Peritonitis zu untersuchen. Pentaglobin® wurde hierbei zusammen mit einer im klinischen Alltag üblichen Antibiotikatherapie intravenös verabreicht. Die Kontrollgruppe erhielt ein Placebo bestehend aus Humanalbumin. Primäre Endpunkte waren der postoperative kumulierte Summenwert der SIRS-Kriterien nach Bone bis zum 23. postoperativen Tag sowie der postoperative kumulierte Summenwert des SOFA-Score bis zum 28. postoperativen Tag. Ergebnisse wurden durch Anwendung verschiedener Scores überprüft. Insgesamt konnten 260 Patienten mit Peritonitis an 16 Studienzentren eingeschlossen werden. 258 Patienten kamen in die Safety-Analyse sowie 255 in die Intentio-To-Treat Analyse. Bei den primären Endpunkten konnte eine Tendenz für die Wirksamkeit von Pentaglobin® bei septischen Patienten gezeigt werden. Insbesondere die Patienten mit einem höheren MPI-Wert scheinen mehr von einer Therapie mit Pentaglobin® profitiert zu haben. Eine statistische Signifikanz konnte jedoch nicht nachgewiesen werden. Bei den sekundären Endpunkten zeigte sich eine statistisch signifikant kürzere Therapie mit Katecholaminen in der Pentaglobin®-Gruppe. Weiterhin fanden sich statistisch signifikante Unterschiede des IL-2-Rezeptors sowie des TNF-1-Rezeptors im Studienverlauf zwischen der Pentaglobin®- und der Placebo-Gruppe. Bei der Überprüfung der Verträglichkeit der Studienmedikation fanden sich keine signifikanten Unterschiede.
Background: The sympathetic nervous system is considered to modulate the endotoxin-induced activation of immune cells. Here we investigate whether thoracic epidural anesthesia with its regional symapathetic blocking effect alters endotoxin-induced leukocyte-endothelium activation and interaction with subsequent endothelial injury. Methods: Sprague Dawley rats were anesthetized, cannulated and hemodynamically monitored. E. coli lipopolysaccharide (Serotype 0127: B8, 1.5 mg x kg(-1) x h(-1)) or isotonic saline (controls) was infused for 300 minutes. An epidural catheter was inserted for continuous application of lidocaine or normal saline in endotoxemic animals and saline in controls. After 300 minutes we measured catecholamine and cytokine plasma concentrations, adhesion molecule expression, leukocyte adhesion, and intestinal tissue edema. Results: In endotoxemic animals with epidural saline, LPS significantly increased the interleukin-1 beta plasma concentration (48%), the expression of endothelial adhesion molecules E-selectin (34%) and ICAM-1 (42%), and the number of adherent leukocytes (40%) with an increase in intestinal myeloperoxidase activity (26%) and tissue edema (75%) when compared to healthy controls. In endotoxemic animals with epidural infusion of lidocaine the values were similar to those in control animals, while epinephrine plasma concentration was 32% lower compared to endotoxemic animals with epidural saline. Conclusions: Thoracic epidural anesthesia attenuated the endotoxin-induced increase of IL-1 beta concentration, adhesion molecule expression and leukocyte-adhesion with subsequent endothelial injury. A potential mechanism is the reduction in the plasma concentration of epinephrine.
Chirurgische Nahtmaterialien werden nach ihren Konstitutionsmerkmalen und deren geschichtlicher Entwicklung beschrieben. Hierbei wird gezielt auf die Entwicklung der physikalischen und biologischen Eigenschaften eingegangen. Nahtmaterialien sind das Ergebnis der Erfahrungen operativer Tätigkeiten seit 2000 v. Chr. und gezielter wissenschaftlicher Forschung seit Mitte des 19. Jahrhunderts. Um 1500 v.Chr. ist die Wundnaht zum ersten Mal dokumentiert (Papyri Edwin Smith und Ebers, Ägypten). Man bediente sich jenerzeit vorwiegend der Leinenfäden oder ähnlicher Materialien zum Wundverschluss. Aus der Literatur sind Hinweise auf weitere Ausgangsmaterialien bekannt, die uns einen Einblick in die operativen Tätigkeiten chinesischer, indischer, ägyptischer, griechischer und römischer Ärzte vor hunderten von Jahren geben. Naturprodukte wie Baumrinde, Dornen, Schleimharze oder auch Pergament werden als Nahtmaterial verwendet. Die von Walter v. Brunn 1928 beschriebene Ameisennaht, die als Ursprung der heutigen Wundklammerung anzusehen ist, wurde schon von arabischen Ärzten wie Abû`l-Qasim (~1000 n.Chr.) und italienischen Chirurgen wie Mondino de Liucci (1275-1326) und Bruno von Longoburgo(~1252) angewandt. Haare von Mensch und Tier, Federkiele, Darmsaiten und schließlich die Seide komplettieren neben anorganischen Stoffen das Nahtmaterialsortiment bis ca. 1930. Von da an gewannen synthetische Fäden zunehmend an Bedeutung, bis zu den heute bekannten Nahtmaterialien aus z.B. Polyamid (Nylon®), Polyglactin (Vicryl®), Polyglykolsäure (Dexon®) oder Polydioxanon (PDS®) und viele andere mehr. Zunächst waren die Chirurgen durch das Einbringen von Fremdmaterial in die Wunde mit schwerwiegenden Problemen konfrontiert. Infektionen, Abstoßungsreaktionen und unzureichender Wundverschluss beschreiben nur einen Teil der Komplikationen und Schwierigkeiten, denen ein Arzt, besser der Patient, bei der Wundversorgung ausgesetzt war. Bis zur Einführung der Antisepsis und Asepsis in der Chirurgie mit Pasteur (1822-1895) und Lord Lister (1827-1912), war der Ausgang nach Versorgung einer Wunde durch die "blutige Naht" häufig letal. Während man nun Ende des 19. Jahrhunderts um Sterilisationsverfahren und Darreichungsformen von Nahtmaterialien bemüht war, widmete man sich auch speziellen Handhabungseigenschaften von chirurgischen Fäden sowie - bereits seit Mitte des 19. Jahrhunderts - auch deren Verhalten im Gewebe. Die Armierung chirurgischer Fäden gipfelt um 1920 in der Entwicklung der atraumatischen Nadel-Faden-Kombinationen, die eine minimale Traumatisierung des Stichkanals zum Ziel hatte. Heute sind chirurgische Nahtmaterialien Mittelpunkt eines ausgereiften Industriezweiges. Ausgangsmaterialien werden hinsichtlich ihres Einsatzbereiches modifiziert, um dem Operateur ein Fadenmaterial maximaler Qualität an die Hand zu geben. Um ein Nahtmaterial als Mittel zum Wundverschluss einzuordnen und seine Wirkung im Gewebe einschätzen zu können, können folgende Kriterien zur Beschreibung und Evaluierung chirurgischen Nahtmaterials aufgestellt werden: Konstitutionsmerkmale (Degradationsverhalten, Filament-Architektur, Oberflächeneigenschaften, Durchmesser, Beschichtung, Farbe), unterscheidende Parameter in vitro und in vivo (Zugfestigkeit, Knotenhalt, Dehnbarkeit, Elongation, Gewebeverträglichkeit, Quellung, Dochtwirkung, Funktionszeit), Handhabungseigenschaften, Sterilität, Armierung und Verpackung. Ziel ist es, die historischen Wurzeln der einzelnen Eigenschaften aufzudecken und ihre Entwicklung bis in die Neuzeit zu verfolgen.
Reversible protein phosphorylation is a posttranslational modification of regulatory proteins involved in cardiac signaling pathways. Here, we focus on the role of protein phosphatase 2A (PP2A) for cardiac gene expression and stress response using a transgenic mouse model with cardiac myocyte-specific overexpression of the catalytic subunit of PP2A (PP2A-TG). Gene and protein expression were assessed under basal conditions by gene chip analysis and Western blotting. Some cardiac genes related to the cell metabolism and to protein phosphorylation such as kinases and phosphatases were altered in PP2A-TG compared to wild type mice (WT). As cardiac stressors, a lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced sepsis in vivo and a global cardiac ischemia in vitro (stop-flow isolated perfused heart model) were examined. Whereas the basal cardiac function was reduced in PP2A-TG as studied by echocardiography or as studied in the isolated work-performing heart, the acute LPS- or ischemia-induced cardiac dysfunction deteriorated less in PP2A-TG compared to WT. From the data, we conclude that increased PP2A activity may influence the acute stress tolerance of cardiac myocytes.
Infections with influenza A viruses (IAV) cause seasonal epidemics and global pandemics. The majority of these infections remain asymptomatic, especially among children below five years of age. Importantly, this is a time, when immunological imprinting takes place. Whether early-life infections with IAV affect the development of antimicrobial immunity is unknown. Using a preclinical mouse model, we demonstrate here that silent neonatal influenza infections have a remote beneficial impact on the later control of systemic juvenile-onset and adult-onset infections with an unrelated pathogen, Staphylococcus aureus, due to improved pathogen clearance and clinical resolution. Strategic vaccination with a live attenuated IAV vaccine elicited a similar protection phenotype. Mechanistically, the IAV priming effect primarily targets antimicrobial functions of the developing innate immune system including increased antimicrobial plasma activity and enhanced phagocyte functions and antigen-presenting properties at mucosal sites. Our results suggest a long-term benefit from an exposure to IAV during the neonatal phase, which might be exploited by strategic vaccination against influenza early in life to enforce the host’s resistance to later bacterial infections.
Sepsis caused by Neisseria meningitidis (meningococcus) is a rapidly progressing, life-threatening disease. Because its initial symptoms are rather unspecific, medical attention is often sought too late, i.e., when the systemic inflammatory response is already unleashed. This in turn limits the success of antibiotic treatment. The complement system is generally accepted as the most important innate immune determinant against invasive meningococcal disease since it protects the host through the bactericidal membrane attack complex. However, complement activation concomitantly liberates the C5a peptide, and it remains unclear whether this potent anaphylatoxin contributes to protection and/or drives the rapidly progressing immunopathogenesis associated with meningococcal disease. Here, we dissected the specific contribution of C5a receptor 1 (C5aR1), the canonical receptor for C5a, using a mouse model of meningococcal sepsis. Mice lacking C3 or C5 displayed susceptibility that was enhanced by >1,000-fold or 100-fold, respectively, consistent with the contribution of these components to protection. In clear contrast, C5ar1\(^{-/-}\) mice resisted invasive meningococcal infection and cleared N. meningitidis more rapidly than wild-type (WT) animals. This favorable outcome stemmed from an ameliorated inflammatory cytokine response to N. meningitidis in C5ar1\(^{-/-}\) mice in both in vivo and ex vivo whole-blood infections. In addition, inhibition of C5aR1 signaling without interference with the complement bactericidal activity reduced the inflammatory response also in human whole blood. Enticingly, pharmacologic C5aR1 blockade enhanced mouse survival and lowered meningococcal burden even when the treatment was administered after sepsis induction. Together, our findings demonstrate that C5aR1 drives the pathophysiology associated with meningococcal sepsis and provides a promising target for adjunctive therapy.
Importance:
The devastating consequences of N. meningitidis sepsis arise due to the rapidly arising and self-propagating inflammatory response that mobilizes antibacterial defenses but also drives the immunopathology associated with meningococcemia. The complement cascade provides innate broad-spectrum protection against infection by directly damaging the envelope of pathogenic microbes through the membrane attack complex and triggers an inflammatory response via the C5a peptide and its receptor C5aR1 aimed at mobilizing cellular effectors of immunity. Here, we consider the potential of separating the bactericidal activities of the complement cascade from its immune activating function to improve outcome of N. meningitidis sepsis. Our findings demonstrate that the specific genetic or pharmacological disruption of C5aR1 rapidly ameliorates disease by suppressing the pathogenic inflammatory response and, surprisingly, allows faster clearance of the bacterial infection. This outcome provides a clear demonstration of the therapeutic benefit of the use of C5aR1-specific inhibitors to improve the outcome of invasive meningococcal disease.
Almost half of all preterm births are caused or triggered by an inflammatory process at the feto-maternal interface resulting in preterm labor or rupture of membranes with or without chorioamnionitis (“first inflammatory hit”). Preterm babies have highly vulnerable body surfaces and immature organ systems. They are postnatally confronted with a drastically altered antigen exposure including hospital-specific microbes, artificial devices, drugs, nutritional antigens, and hypoxia or hyperoxia (“second inflammatory hit”). This is of particular importance to extremely preterm infants born before 28 weeks, as they have not experienced important “third-trimester” adaptation processes to tolerate maternal and self-antigens. Instead of a balanced adaptation to extrauterine life, the delicate co-regulation between immune defense mechanisms and immunosuppression (tolerance) to allow microbiome establishment is therefore often disturbed. Hence, preterm infants are predisposed to sepsis but also to several injurious conditions that can contribute to the onset or perpetuation of sustained inflammation (SI). This is a continuing challenge to clinicians involved in the care of preterm infants, as SI is regarded as a crucial mediator for mortality and the development of morbidities in preterm infants. This review will outline the (i) role of inflammation for short-term consequences of preterm birth and (ii) the effect of SI on organ development and long-term outcome.