title: Cytokine production and its manipulation by vasoactive drugs.
abstract: The management of severe sepsis includes the use of agonists of alpha- and beta-adrenergic, as well as of dopaminergic, receptors. Data suggest that the severe inflammatory immune response seen in sepsis can be modulated by stimulation and inhibition of these receptors both in vitro and in vivo. Specifically, release of tumor necrosis factor and interleukins can clearly be modified. Thus, pharmacologic agents directed at circulatory support may have significant potential for immunomodulation. Since the vasopressor and inotrope support of sepsis is not well standardized, variability in the resulting inflammatory mediator response may have consequences to the efficacy of new immunotherapies. This article provides an overview of the effect of the sympathetic nervous system activity and of receptor manipulation on cytokine response to endotoxin, and adds to the perspective on inhibition of phosphodiesterase in the therapy of septic shock.
authors.affiliation: Department of Anesthesiology, Montefiore Medical Center/Albert Einstain College of Medicine, Bronx, NY 10467, USA.
authors.forename: S M
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: Pastores
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Hasko
authors.forename: E S
authors.initials: ES
authors.lastname: Vizi
authors.forename: V
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Kvetan
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D016207:Cytokines / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D006801:Humans; D008070:Lipopolysaccharides / Q000494:pharmacology; D010726:Phosphodiesterase Inhibitors / Q000494:pharmacology; D011941:Receptors, Adrenergic / Q000502:physiology; D011954:Receptors, Dopamine / Q000502:physiology; D018805:Sepsis / Q000276:immunology* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000503:physiopathology; D013564:Sympathetic Nervous System / Q000503:physiopathology; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / Q000096:biosynthesis; D014662:Vasoconstrictor Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*; D014665:Vasodilator Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*
chemical_list: D016207:Cytokines; D008070:Lipopolysaccharides; D010726:Phosphodiesterase Inhibitors; D011941:Receptors, Adrenergic; D011954:Receptors, Dopamine; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha; D014662:Vasoconstrictor Agents; D014665:Vasodilator Agents