title: Effect of red blood cell transfusion on parameters of inflammation and oxidative stress in critically ill patients.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Red blood cell transfusions are common in intensive care units. For many years, transfusions of red blood were thought to have obvious clinical benefits. However, in recent years, the risks and benefits of blood transfusions have been examined more carefully, including the risk of increased morbidity and mortality due to transfusion-related immunomodulation effects.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate red blood cell transfusion effects and the relationship of this procedure to the production of inflammatory cytokines and oxidative damage in critically ill patients admitted to an intensive care unit.
  
  
  METHODS
  For 6 months in 2008, we evaluated patients admitted to an intensive care unit who underwent packed red blood cell transfusions. Pre- and post-transfusion levels of interleukin-6, carbonylated proteins and thiobarbituric acid reactive substances were assessed.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Serum post-transfusion interleukin-6 levels were reduced, and thiobarbituric acid reactive substances and carbonylated proteins were significantly increased. No statistically significant relationship was found between the levels of pre- and post-transfusion interleukin-6 and thiobarbituric acid reactive substances and the mortality rate. However, there was a significant relationship between levels of post-transfusion carbonylated proteins and mortality.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Red blood cell transfusion is associated with increased oxidative damage markers and reduced interleukin-6 levels in critically ill patients.
authors.forename: Samuel Diomário da
authors.initials: SD
authors.lastname: Rosa
authors.affiliation: Hospital São José, Criciúma, SC, Brasil.
authors.forename: Maria de Lurdes Ugioni
authors.initials: Mde L
authors.lastname: Bristot
authors.affiliation: Laboratório de Fisiopatologia Experimental, Instituto Nacional de Ciência e Tecnologia Translacional em Medicina, Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências da Saúde, Universidade do Extremo Sul Catarinense, Criciúma, SC, Brasil.
authors.forename: Maria Fernanda Locks
authors.initials: MF
authors.lastname: Topanotti
authors.affiliation: Hospital São José, Criciúma, SC, Brasil.
authors.forename: Cristiane Damiani
authors.initials: CD
authors.lastname: Tomasi
authors.affiliation: Laboratório de Fisiopatologia Experimental, Instituto Nacional de Ciência e Tecnologia Translacional em Medicina, Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências da Saúde, Universidade do Extremo Sul Catarinense, Criciúma, SC, Brasil.
authors.forename: Francine
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Felisberto
authors.affiliation: Laboratório de Fisiopatologia Experimental, Instituto Nacional de Ciência e Tecnologia Translacional em Medicina, Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências da Saúde, Universidade do Extremo Sul Catarinense, Criciúma, SC, Brasil.
authors.forename: Francieli Silva
authors.initials: FS
authors.lastname: Vuolo
authors.affiliation: Laboratório de Fisiopatologia Experimental, Instituto Nacional de Ciência e Tecnologia Translacional em Medicina, Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências da Saúde, Universidade do Extremo Sul Catarinense, Criciúma, SC, Brasil.
authors.forename: Fabricia
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Petronilho
authors.affiliation: Hospital São José, Criciúma, SC, Brasil.
authors.forename: Felipe Dal
authors.initials: FD
authors.lastname: Pizzol
authors.affiliation: Hospital São José, Criciúma, SC, Brasil.
authors.forename: Cristiane
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Ritter