Isolated closed minor-muscle injury of the lower leg did not cause an obvious systemic immune response.
OBJECTIVE
A common consequence in patients with blunt trauma is a deterioration of the immune system. The specific impacts of a frequently occurring isolated soft tissue trauma on the immune response are described. However, the dimension of trauma needed to cause systemic effects has not been definitely elucidated.


METHODS
Mice were traumatized on the lower leg. The extent of soft tissue trauma was quantified by determination of the wet/dry ratio, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and serum content of muscle proteins. Five minutes, 3, 24, 36, 48, and 72 h after trauma (a.t.) the ex vivo cytokine-expression of immune-competent cells were measured.


RESULTS
Trauma resulted in an early edema that could be quantified by MRI and wet/dry ration. Release of muscle-specific proteins was detected 5 min a.t. The trauma did not cause significant changes of TNF-alpha response of isolated cells to endotoxin. IL6-response of splenocytes to endotoxin was slightly increased 72 h a.t., while IL6-response of peritoneal macrophages to endotoxin was decreased 36 h a.t.


CONCLUSIONS
We describe a standardized trauma model for minor soft tissue injury in mice. Systemic effects on the immune system by traumatized lower leg were not found on the level of circulating cytokines or cellular responses to endotoxin.
Schmitz
Daniel
D
Department of Trauma Surgery, University Hospital of Essen, Hufelandstr. 55, 45147 Essen, Germany. d.schmitz@gmx.com
Bangen
Joerg M
JM
Herborn
Christoph U
CU
Husain
Baher
B
Lendemans
Sven
S
Flohé
Stefanie B
SB
Metz
Klaus A
KA
Schade
F Ulrich
FU
Taeger
Georg
G
Oberbeck
Jörg R
JR
Kobbe
Philipp
P
Waydhas
Christian
C
Flohé
Sascha
S
D000818:Animals; D003402:Creatine Kinase / Q000097:blood; D016207:Cytokines / Q000097:blood; D004487:Edema / Q000209:etiology; D005260:Female; D007107:Immune System / Q000503:physiopathology*; D007869:Leg Injuries / Q000097:blood / Q000150:complications / Q000276:immunology*; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D008807:Mice, Inbred BALB C; D023421:Models, Animal; D018482:Muscle, Skeletal / Q000293:injuries*; D009211:Myoglobin / Q000097:blood; D014336:Troponin / Q000097:blood
D016207:Cytokines; D009211:Myoglobin; D014336:Troponin; D003402:Creatine Kinase
Shock. 2008 Dec;30(6):686-91
18461022
J Immunol. 2006 Oct 1;177(7):4514-20
16982888
Shock. 2004 Jul;22(1):51-6
15201702
FASEB J. 2005 May;19(7):872-4
15738005
Crit Care Clin. 2004 Jan;20(1):171-92
14979336
Am J Physiol. 1990 Oct;259(4 Pt 2):R663-78
2145776
Langenbecks Arch Surg. 2007 May;392(3):339-43
17377804
J Trauma. 1997 Dec;43(6):911-5
9420104
J Biomech. 1996 Oct;29(10):1291-6
8884474
Crit Care Med. 1992 Jun;20(6):864-74
1597042
Ann Clin Lab Sci. 1998 Sep-Oct;28(5):283-8
9784829
Br J Surg. 2003 Dec;90(12):1470-8
14648724
Injury. 2007 Dec;38(12):1382-91
18048037
J Surg Res. 1992 Jul;53(1):55-61
1405592
Purinergic Signal. 2007 Mar;3(1-2):99-107
18404423
J Surg Res. 2003 Aug;113(2):248-56
12957137
J Trauma. 1995 Oct;39(4):645-50
7473948
J Orthop Trauma. 2008 Jul;22(6):385-90
18594302
Shock. 1995 Aug;4(2):149-53
7496901
J Immunol. 2003 Mar 1;170(5):2340-8
12594256