Increased plasma nitrate levels in patients with crush syndrome in the Marmara earthquake.
BACKGROUND
Crush syndrome has been described as extensive muscle damage, leading to acute renal failure. The aim of this study was to evaluate the possible role of nitric oxide, tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) and interleukin-1 beta (IL-1 beta) in crush syndrome.


METHODS
A total of 17 patients suffering from crush syndrome, 7 patients without crush syndrome and 10 healthy controls were enrolled in the study. Plasma nitrate, TNF-alpha, IL-1 beta levels and biochemical parameters were measured.


RESULTS
All patients with crush syndrome demonstrated acute renal failure. Plasma nitrate levels were elevated significantly in the crush syndrome patients compared with patients without crush syndrome (33.5 +/- 20.1 vs. 15.3 +/- 5 micromol/l, p=0.014). There was no significant difference in TNF-alpha and IL-1 beta levels between control and patient groups.


CONCLUSIONS
Increased plasma nitrate levels in the crush syndrome may be related either to the elevated production of NO or the diminished excretion of nitrate or both.
Derici
Ulver
U
Department of Nephrology, Gazi University Hospital, 06510 Besevler, Ankara, Turkey. derici@med.gazi.edu.tr
Ozkaya
Ozan
O
Arinsoy
Turgay
T
Erbas
Deniz
D
Sindel
Sukru
S
Bali
Musa
M
Buyan
Necla
N
Hasanoglu
Enver
E
Soylemezoglu
Oguz
O
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D003444:Crush Syndrome / Q000097:blood* / Q000150:complications / Q000378:metabolism; D004190:Disasters; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007375:Interleukin-1 / Q000097:blood; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009566:Nitrates / Q000097:blood*; D009569:Nitric Oxide / Q000378:metabolism; D051437:Renal Insufficiency / Q000097:blood / Q000150:complications / Q000378:metabolism; D013997:Time Factors; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / Q000032:analysis; D014421:Turkey
D007375:Interleukin-1; D009566:Nitrates; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha; D009569:Nitric Oxide