Levels of oxidized low-density lipoproteins are increased in patients with severe sepsis.
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).
Behnes
Michael
M
First Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine Mannheim, University of Heidelberg, 68167 Mannheim, Germany.
Brueckmann
Martina
M
Liebe
Volker
V
Liebetrau
Claudia
C
Lang
Siegfried
S
Putensen
Christian
C
Borggrefe
Martin
M
Hoffmann
Ursula
U
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
D000890:Anti-Infective Agents; D008077:Lipoproteins, LDL; D011486:Protein C; D011994:Recombinant Proteins; C099252:oxidized low density lipoprotein; C421124:drotrecogin alfa activated