title: Cytokine level modifications: molecular adsorbent recirculating system versus standard medical therapy.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Acute-on-chronic liver failure (ACLF) is a systemic inflammatory reaction, which is characterized by a predominantly proinflammatory cytokine profile, causing the transition from stable cirrhosis to ACLF. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the changes in several cytokines associated with inflammatory liver disease and liver regeneration among 15 ACLF patients treated with the Molecular Adsorbent Recirculating System (MARS) compared with 15 patients treated with standard medical therapy (SMT). The subjects showed various disease etiologies but similar values for Model End-stage Liver Disease scores.
  
  
  METHODS
  In the MARS group, 15 (10 male and 5 female) patients were treated with MARS (Gambro). The number of MARS applications was nine; the length of applications was 8 hours. In the SMT group; 15 (10 male and 5 female) patients were treated with SMT. The patients were monitored for 30 days from inclusion with a survival follow-up at 3 months. Statistical results were calculated with SPSS14.0 (SPSS Inc, Chicago, Ill). A P < .07 was considered significant.
  
  
  RESULTS
  In the MARS group, we observed significant changes in the levels of Interleukin (IL)-6, IL-1, IL-10, and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha in association with improved hepatocyte growth factor. Patient survival at 3 months was 60%. The SMT group showed only a significant change in TNF-alpha (P = .03). Patient survival at 3 months was 30%.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The MARS liver support device corrected pathophysiologies of ALF and may be used to enhance spontaneous recovery or as a bridge to transplantation.
authors.affiliation: Dipartimento "P. Stefanini" Chirurgia Generale e Trapianti d'Organo, La Sapienza Universitá di Roma, Rome, Italy. novelligilnardo@virgilio.it
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Novelli
authors.forename: M C
authors.initials: MC
authors.lastname: Annesini
authors.forename: V
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Morabito
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Cinti
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Pugliese
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Novelli
authors.forename: V
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Piemonte
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Turchetti
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Rossi
authors.forename: P B
authors.initials: PB
authors.lastname: Berloco
mesh_terms: D000327:Adsorption; D000328:Adult; D016207:Cytokines / Q000097:blood*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D017093:Liver Failure / Q000097:blood / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy*; D008115:Liver Regeneration; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged
chemical_list: D016207:Cytokines