European cytokine network
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European cytokine network · Sep 2000
Sublethal hemorrhagic shock reduces tumor necrosis factor-alpha-producing capacity in different cell compartments.
Hemorrhagic shock results in a severe impairment of the immune response. Immunological alterations after hemorrhagic shock thus appear to be responsible for reduced resistance to infectious agents commonly observed after shock and severe injury. In the present study we examined the TNF-alpha-producing capacity of immune cells derived from different organs after sublethal shock in rats. ⋯ However, in the serum samples with TNF-alpha-inhibitory activity, elevated levels of PGE2 metabolites were found, which suggests the involvement of prostaglandins in trauma-induced immunosuppression. Altered TNF-a expression might be partially explained by an inhibitory activity in the serum already present 2 hours after shock. Since adequate, but not overwhelming TNF-alpha production is essential for host response, the altered cytokine formation might explain local and systemic susceptibility to infections after hemorrhagic shock.