Thrombin-antithrombin III complex, proinflammatory cytokines, and fibrinolytic indices for assessing the severity of inflammation in pleural effusions.
This study investigated coagulation-related variables, proinflammatory cytokines, and fibrinolytic indices to assess the severity of inflammation in patients with pleural effusions. Tuberculous pleural fluids revealed significantly higher concentrations of tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and plasminogen activator inhibitor type I (PAI-1) than did malignant and pneumonic pleural fluids. Among the coagulation-related variables, thrombin-antithrombin III complex (TAT) exhibited the largest difference in mean values between pleural fluids and blood samples (125.4 ± 45.1 vs 14.3 ± 20.3 ng/ml, p <0.05). Inflammatory parameters were more closely associated with TAT than tissue type plasminogen activator (tPA), PAI-1, and D-dimers. TAT levels in the severe inflammation group (153.8 ± 45.6 ng/ml) were significantly above those in the mild inflammation group (105.6 ± 38.5 ng/ml, p <0.05); however, no significant differences were observed in PAI-1 and D-dimers levels between the two groups. In conclusion, TNF-α and PAI-1 are important indicators in patients with tuberculous pleural effusions, and measurement of TAT is useful for assessing the severity of inflammation in pleural fluids.
Department of Internal Medicine, Inha University Incheon, South Korea.
Moon Hee
MH
Lee
Chung Hyun
CH
Nahm
Jong Weon
JW
Choi
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000990:Antithrombin III; D016207:Cytokines / Q000097:blood*; D005260:Female; D005342:Fibrinolysis; D006801:Humans; D007249:Inflammation / Q000097:blood* / Q000150:complications / Q000473:pathology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D018836:Inflammation Mediators / Q000097:blood*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010447:Peptide Hydrolases / Q000097:blood*; D010996:Pleural Effusion / Q000097:blood* / Q000150:complications / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology; D012720:Severity of Illness Index
D016207:Cytokines; D018836:Inflammation Mediators; C046193:antithrombin III-protease complex; D000990:Antithrombin III; D010447:Peptide Hydrolases