Secretory phospholipase A2 activity correlates with postinjury multiple organ failure.
Postinjury multiple organ failure (MOF) may result from overwhelming systemic hyperinflammation. Secretory phospholipase A2 (sPLA2) produces many inflammatory lipid mediators, and levels have been correlated with both the severity of patient injury and postinjury mortality. The objective of this study was to characterize the plasma activity of sPLA2 type IIa in severely injured patients and to determine whether the activity of this enzyme correlates with the subsequent development of MOF.


METHODS
Seventeen severely injured patients at known risk for MOF had blood sampled on postinjury days 0, 1, 2, 3, and 5.


METHODS
sPLA2 activity was sequentially measured and correlated with MOF scores.


RESULTS
Six patients (35%) developed MOF. In comparison with non-MOF patients, MOF patients had elevated sPLA2 activity beginning 36 hrs postinjury (MOF sPLA2, 2.4 +/- 0.97, vs. non-MOF sPLA2, 0.86 +/- 0.16 active units (AU); p < .05) and continuing over the ensuing 5 days. To rule out the possibility that stored blood components required for patient resuscitation was the source of sPLA2, the sPLA2 was measured in packed red blood cells, platelet concentrates, and fresh frozen plasma over the routine storage time. None of the products tested had elevated levels of sPLA2 compared with fresh plasma from healthy adult volunteers.


CONCLUSIONS
We conclude that increased sPLA2 activity is associated with the development of postinjury MOF.
Partrick
D A
DA
Department of Surgery, Denver Health Medical Center, University of Colorado Health Sciences Center, Denver, CO, USA.
Moore
E E
EE
Silliman
C C
CC
Barnett
C C
CC
Kuypers
F A
FA
D000328:Adult; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D015601:Injury Severity Score; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009102:Multiple Organ Failure / Q000097:blood* / Q000175:diagnosis; D010741:Phospholipases A / Q000097:blood*; D054467:Phospholipases A2; D011446:Prospective Studies; D014947:Wounds and Injuries / Q000150:complications*
D010741:Phospholipases A; D054467:Phospholipases A2