• D A Partrick, F A Moore, E E Moore, W L Biffl, A Sauaia, and C C Barnett.
• Department of Surgery, Denver General Hospital, University of Colorado Health Sciences Center, Denver, USA.
• Am. J. Surg. 1996 Nov 1;172(5):425-9; discussed 429-31.

BackgroundInterleukin-6 (IL-6), interleukin-8 (IL-8), and adhesion molecules have been implicated as mediators in neutrophil (PMN) and endothelial cell (EC) interactions leading to postinjury multiple organ failure (MOF). Our hypothesis was that circulating levels of IL-6, IL-8, and soluble intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (sICAM-1) would discriminate patients at risk for postinjury MOF.MethodsSerial plasma levels of IL-6, IL-8, and sICAM-1 were measured in 27 high-risk trauma patients.ResultsThe IL-6 and IL-8 levels were significantly elevated in MOF patients compared with non-MOF patients at 12 and 36 hours postinjury. The IL-6 level was also elevated at 84 and 132 hours, and IL-8 at 84 hours. The sICAM-1 level did not become elevated in MOF patients until 132 hours postinjury.ConclusionInterleukin-6 and IL-8 are elevated early after trauma and discriminate patients who will develop MOF. Late elevation of sICAM-1 likely results from PMN cytotoxicity leading to EC injury or inflammation.

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