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.
Department of Pediatric Propedeutics and Clinic of Child Immunology, Medical University of Wrocław, Wrocław, Poland. bozenamd@poczta.onet.pl
Bozena
B
Polańska
Danuta
D
Sidor
Iwona
I
Leszczyk-Kapusta
Maria
M
Niemczuk
Wanda
W
Paradowska-Jeszke
Krystyna
K
Ciborska
Adam
A
Jankowski
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