Serum levels of interleukin 1 and tumor necrosis factor alpha correlate with peritoneal adhesion grades in humans after major abdominal surgery.
Peritoneal adhesions are a leading cause of potential morbidity and mortality. We undertook this prospective study to determine the clinical relevance of interleukin 1 (IL-1) and tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha) levels as biological markers for peritoneal adhesion formation in humans. Fifteen patients who had previous colectomies and were undergoing re-exploration for an elective vascular procedure were studied. Blood samples were collected from each patient preoperatively and 30 minutes after the abdominal incision was made. Serum levels of IL-1 and TNF-alpha were determined using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay kits. Adhesions were graded using an adhesion scale of 0 (none), 1 (mild), 2 (moderate), and 3 (extensive, dense). Preoperative levels of IL-1 and TNF-alpha did not differ significantly among all patients (IL-1 level was 60 +/- 14 pg/mL, and TNF-alpha level was 45 +/- 11 pg/mL; mean +/- standard deviation). Significant correlation was observed between grades of adhesions and early intraoperative levels of IL-1 [101 +/- 36 pg/mL for grade 1 (n = 8) vs 298 +/- 73 pg/mL for grade 3 (n = 6); P < 0.01] and TNF-alpha (88 +/- 23 pg/mL for grade 1 vs 261 +/- 88 mL for grade 3; P < 0.02). We conclude that early elevations of IL-1 and TNF-alpha are reliable biological markers for postoperative adhesions in humans. Studies utilizing cytokines antibodies to these markers may further elucidate the efficacy of this method for prevention of peritoneal adhesions.
Department of Surgery, North Oakland Medical Centers, Pontiac, Michigan 48341, USA.
A A
AA
Saba
V
V
Godziachvili
A K
AK
Mavani
Y J
YJ
Silva
D000005:Abdomen / Q000601:surgery*; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007375:Interleukin-1 / Q000097:blood*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010532:Peritoneal Diseases / Q000209:etiology / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology*; D011183:Postoperative Complications; D011446:Prospective Studies; D000267:Tissue Adhesions / Q000209:etiology / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / Q000032:analysis*
D015415:Biomarkers; D007375:Interleukin-1; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha