title: Levels of oxidized low-density lipoproteins are increased in patients with severe sepsis.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  It was hypothesized that the inflammatory response of patients with severe sepsis may result in changes of plasma levels of oxidized low-density lipoproteins (ox-LDLs) and that drotrecogin alpha (activated) (DAA) (Xigris, Eli Lilly and Company [Indiana 46285, USA]) may influence ox-LDL levels.
  
  
  METHODS
  The ox-LDL levels were measured in severe septic patients on day 1, 4, and 7 of severe sepsis. Patients were treated either with or without DAA.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The ox-LDL levels increased significantly (P < .05) from day 1 to day 7 (day 1, mean +/- SEM, 25.4 +/- 1.8 U/L; day 4, mean +/- SEM, 34.3 +/- 2.1 U/L; day 7, mean +/- SEM, 38.3 +/- 2.1 U/L) in all patients (n = 68). The ox-LDL levels increased significantly from day 1 to day 7 both in patients treated with (n = 31) and without DAA (n = 37) (P < .001) (DAA-group: day 1, mean +/- SEM, 24.4 +/- 2.8 U/L; day 4, mean +/- SEM, 35.5 +/- 2.9 U/L; day 7, mean +/- SEM, 40.7 +/- 3.2 U/L) (control group: day 1, mean +/- SEM, 26.3 +/- 2.8 U/L; day 4, mean +/- SEM, 33.2 +/- 2.9 U/L; day 7, mean +/- SEM, 36.4 +/- 2.9 U/L). No significant differences of ox-LDL levels were observed between both groups at any point of time (P > .05).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The ox-LDL concentrations increase significantly during the first week of severe sepsis and are not affected by administration of drotrecogin alpha (activated) (Xigris).
authors.affiliation: First Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine Mannheim, University of Heidelberg, 68167 Mannheim, Germany.
authors.forename: Michael
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Behnes
authors.forename: Martina
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Brueckmann
authors.forename: Volker
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Liebe
authors.forename: Claudia
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Liebetrau
authors.forename: Siegfried
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Lang
authors.forename: Christian
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Putensen
authors.forename: Martin
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Borggrefe
authors.forename: Ursula
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Hoffmann
mesh_terms: D000890:Anti-Infective Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008077:Lipoproteins, LDL / Q000097:blood*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011486:Protein C / Q000627:therapeutic use; D011994:Recombinant Proteins / Q000627:therapeutic use; D018805:Sepsis / Q000097:blood* / Q000188:drug therapy
chemical_list: D000890:Anti-Infective Agents; D008077:Lipoproteins, LDL; D011486:Protein C; D011994:Recombinant Proteins; C099252:oxidized low density lipoprotein; C421124:drotrecogin alfa activated