Neutrophil elastase and interleukin-8 as inflammatory mediators in mechanically ventilated children.
BACKGROUND
Neutrophil elastase is a proteolytic enzyme which can have a destructive effect on respiratory tract structures. Interleukin-8 (IL-8), a proinflammatory cytokine, is an important chemoattractant for neutrophils. The aim of our study was to assess inflammatory states by determining elastase in complex with alpha1-proteinase inhibitor (E-alpha1PI) and IL-8 in children requiring mechanical ventilation.


METHODS
Plasma and respiratory tract lavage fluid (RTLF) levels of E-a1PI and IL-8 were measured (ELISA) in 31 children with (group I) and 22 without (group II) respiratory tract infection. Plasma results were compared with a group of healthy controls. Results are given as medians and ranges. Additionally, the percentage content of neutrophils in RTLF was determined.


RESULTS
Significantly higher (p<0.00004) plasma levels of E-alpha1PI were found in group I than in group II. In group II, there were significantly higher (p<0.002) RTLF levels of E-alpha1PI and IL-8 than in group I. In both groups, the percentage content of neutrophils in RTLF exceeded 60%. A negative correlation was found between the plasma and RTLF levels of E-alpha1PI (r=-0.69; p<0.0004), between E-alpha1PI and percentage neutrophil content (r=-0.6; p<0.006), and between IL-8 and percentage neutrophil content (r=-0.5; p<0.04) in RTLF in group II.


CONCLUSIONS
The determination of E-alpha1PI and IL-8 may be useful in the assessment of the inflammatory state in children requiring mechanical ventilation.
Polańska
Bozena
B
Department of Pediatric Propedeutics and Clinic of Child Immunology, Medical University of Wrocław, Wrocław, Poland. bozenamd@poczta.onet.pl
Sidor
Danuta
D
Leszczyk-Kapusta
Iwona
I
Niemczuk
Maria
M
Paradowska-Jeszke
Wanda
W
Ciborska
Krystyna
K
Jankowski
Adam
A
D002675:Child, Preschool; D004791:Enzyme Inhibitors / Q000378:metabolism; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D016209:Interleukin-8 / Q000032:analysis* / Q000097:blood; D019272:Leukocyte Elastase / Q000032:analysis* / Q000097:blood; D008297:Male; D012121:Respiration, Artificial; D015619:Respiratory System Abnormalities
D004791:Enzyme Inhibitors; D016209:Interleukin-8; D019272:Leukocyte Elastase