Shock : molecular, cellular, and systemic pathobiological aspects and therapeutic approaches : the official journal the Shock Society, the European Shock Society, the Brazilian Shock Society, the International Federation of Shock Societies
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Interleukin 22 (IL-22) is a TH17-like cytokine known to specifically activate epithelial cells, thereby strengthening immune defense at host/environment interfaces. Animal studies suggest that IL-22 may play a crucial role in clinical sepsis. However, little is known about IL-22 in sepsis patients. ⋯ Here, we report, for the first time, a modest but significant elevation of serum IL-22 detectable in abdominal sepsis patients (P G 0.001). Median serum concentrations of IL-22 were 111.8 pg/mL, 3.4 or 2.0 pg/mL, and 9.3 pg/mL for abdominal sepsis patients, surgical control patients (presurgery or postsurgery), and healthy volunteers,respectively. Interleukin 22 produced in the course of abdominal sepsis may contribute to host defense and stabilization of mucosal barrier functions under conditions of systemic infection.
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Heatstroke, a severe inflammatory response disease, is a medical emergency characterized by high body temperature. The protein C anticoagulant system inhibits inflammation resulting from various causes. Thrombomodulin (TM), a widely expressed glycoprotein originally identified in vascular endothelium, is an important cofactor in the protein C anticoagulant system. ⋯ Inhibition of NO overproduction by recombinant TM was observed during heat stress-induced inflammation. Because of the decline in inflammatory marker levels, TM ameliorated injury to various organs in the rat model of heat stress-induced acute inflammation. As TM exhibited a strong anti-inflammatory effect in a rat model of acute inflammation induced by heat stress, TM represents a potential therapeutic for heatstroke prevention or management in patients.