European journal of clinical investigation
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Eur. J. Clin. Invest. · Nov 2002
Association between increased levels of IL-2 and IL-15 and outcome in patients with early acute respiratory distress syndrome.
Acute respiratory distress syndrome remains a serious, often fatal, condition, despite progress in modern critical care treatment. Cytokines play an important role in the pathogenesis of the syndrome, although their role in the evolution and outcome has not been clearly elucidated. We explored whether the measurement of serum and bronchoalveolar lavage IL-2 and IL-15 at the time of hospital admission can predict the outcome of this syndrome. ⋯ Determination of serum IL-2 and IL-15 levels may be a valuable and simple aid to improve identification of patients with ARDS or at risk for ARDS who are at high risk of subsequent mortality.
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Eur. J. Clin. Invest. · Nov 2002
Soluble leptin receptors and serum leptin in end-stage renal disease: relationship with inflammation and body composition.
Elevated serum leptin (S-leptin) levels have been reported in patients with end-stage renal disease (ESRD). Apart from the decreased glomerular filtration rate (GFR), body composition and inflammation may affect leptin levels in ESRD. Leptin circulates both free of and bound to soluble leptin receptors (sOB-R), which are the main determinants of leptin activity and have not been described in ESRD until now. ⋯ This study demonstrates that despite markedly elevated S-leptin levels in the ESRD patients, sOB-R did not differ from the controls. In view of the anorexigenic and pro-atherogenic effects of leptin, further elucidation of the consequences of free bioactive leptin in the development of complications such as malnutrition and cardiovascular disease in ESRD patients is required.